Joint Statement Between the University of York management and York UCU

While respecting the right of staff to take industrial action, the University of York management and York UCU regret the disruption that may result for students and are committed to doing whatever we can to minimise it. 

With respect to the USS pension scheme: while recognising that any increases in pension contributions are undesirable, the University management and York UCU are both committed to retaining a defined benefit element of the pension scheme and both commend the continuing tripartite talks that have followed the second report of the Joint Expert Panel.

The University management and York UCU recognise that productive talks are under way at UK level regarding pay and pay-related issues in the UCU claim and these should continue. 

York UCU will:

• allow students to cross picket lines or attend classes without feeling under pressure during the period of strike action
• continue to ask members to inform their students in advance if they are taking action
• ask members to inform their line managers as early as possible whether they have taken industrial action, namely Thursday 27 February, Friday 6 March, Monday 16 March, via the online reporting form provided by Human Resources
• ask members to assist in identifying learning not covered due to strike action
• ask members to make appropriate adjustments to assessments
• continue to ask members to prioritise student-facing support, management and administration (eg exceptional circumstances, academic misconduct and leaves of absence) on their return to work
• ask members to follow reasonable requests from line managers regarding the prioritisation of work when they are taking action short of a strike, in particular asking members on non-strike days to prioritise student-facing activities
• highlight to members the potential need for additional support for student wellbeing as a result of the disruption

The University management will:

• advise managers about ways to identify learning that has not been delivered and to advise students and staff about alternative means to support learning which take account of UCU’s position on ‘Action Short of a Strike’
• maintain all support services and work with academic departments to ensure students are supported throughout this period
• spread strike pay deductions over four months (March, April, May, June payrolls) for those who participate in more than one day of strike action in the period 20 February – 13 March
• continue to pay employer pension contributions for scheme members
• deduct employee pension contributions as normal irrespective of any reduction in salary (providing that individual staff state that they wish this to happen)
• for any member applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain, provide the necessary information described in Home Office Immigration Rules. 
• as the law requires, not deduct pay for action short of a strike which constitutes working to contract:  UCU recognises the right of the University management to deduct pay for any action short of a strike which constitutes a breach of the employment contract.

Signed: Charlie Jeffery and UCU (Joanna de Groot and Ana Duarte)