USS strikes

Vice-chancellors criticise level of contributions proposed by Universities Superannuation Scheme

Discussions about how the UK’s largest pension scheme covers its deficit ought to consider whether all employers and members should pay the same rate, argues Paul Hamilton

Universities call for members to have option to reduce their contributions in return for different benefits

Academics may wish we weren’t here, but burying heads in the sand about the depth of the deficit is no longer viable, says Bernard Casey

Pension scheme’s annual report shows relationship with members worsening amid ongoing dispute over contributions

UK higher education’s biggest pension fund says Covid-related uncertainty on financial markets added £7 billion to shortfall in space of two months

If universities don’t commit to underwriting a riskier investment strategy, pension contributions will have to rise sharply, says Bill Galvin

Money to be taken automatically from members’ bank accounts to support UK union’s strike fund

Universities’ divestment policies are undermined by the USS’ continued investment in oil companies, says Bill Spence 

Members of the Universities Superannuation Scheme are about to vote on whether to lock in current members. But this might not be enough to safeguard the scheme’s solvency, says Bernard Casey

Radical changes may be on cards after stock market crash and interest rate cuts, say experts

Some members increasingly wary after 22 days of walkouts already this year, but many remain determined to win concessions from employers on pay and pensions

New documents show that economic downturn from coronavirus could lead to increased contributions

Negotiators ‘within reach of agreements’ as union cuts demands on pay rises and pension contributions, says general secretary

Leaked summary of report into Jane Hutton’s conduct on USS board says speaking to media ‘by no means a proportionate response’ when regulators were still investigating concerns

Union and employers refuse to make further concessions as 14 days of industrial action continue at 74 universities

Staff vent frustration that employers haven’t recognised the bigger picture behind the walkouts

Universities decline to make fresh offers on pay and pensions as union prepares for second round of industrial action

UCU faces debate over whether to compromise on demands over pay, pensions and working conditions

Striking again would rob students of vital lecture time and damage the progress we’ve made through bargaining, says one anonymous UCU member

Walkouts to escalate over February and March

Total number of union branches eligible to strike this year reaches 74

Birmingham v-c to step down from pension fund board this August

UCU says that universities should focus on solving dispute ‘instead of trying to spin their way out of this’

UCU, employers and USS will discuss the ongoing pensions row, following series of recommendations from expert panel  

Strikes threaten to spill into the new year, as little progress made in dispute

Universities Superannuation Scheme cautions that making governance changes swiftly could be challenging

Strikes notwithstanding, more pay restraint and greater pensions contributions from UK staff seem unavoidable, writes Bernard Casey

Current approach is ‘overly restrictive’ and does ‘not appear appropriate for an open, strong scheme’

Ucea chair’s institution among those to decide against withholding salaries

Huge deficits emerge as universities start to publish 2018-19 accounts – but impact will be reversed next year

UCU says some universities are using ‘highly questionable tactics’ as strikes are set to enter their second week

Newcastle posts £44 million deficit after one-off USS charge, but sector’s results expected to rebound next year

Universities UK says some employees could ‘contribute less and get less benefit’ but academics say approach would ‘divide workers further’

Step comes as employers and union debate equality, casualisation and workload, without movement on pay offer

Thousands walk out, but universities say they expect ‘low to medium’ levels of disruption