Employers are ready to give in to key trade union demands, raising hopes for an end to the industrial action that is paralysing the new universities, according to a letter to vice-chancellors.
The Universities and Colleges Employers Association is ready to agree to keep national minimum terms and conditions, which it planned to scrap, and to re-open pay talks for 2000-01 and 2001-02. The UCEA has asked vice-chancellors for a clear mandate to proceed before talks begin on Monday.
Lecturers' union Natfhe claimed this week that its campaign of non-marking has prevented tens of thousands of students in more than 80 universities from obtaining exam results.
The union calculates that some 4,000 newly qualified nurses and 2,000 other medical staff have been unable to take up hospital jobs. Teaching has also temporarily lost some 2,000 recruits.
The UCEA told vice-chancellors that a breakdown in talks would lead to "fragmentation in the sector or to a freefall into local collective bargaining". It is ready to concede ground on condition that the action is suspended.
The UCEA was negotiating with unions on the basis that the existing national agreements would be scrapped. It is now asking for a mandate "to negotiate with the trade unions on the basis proposed by the TUC: that is, accepting that the new national bargaining machinery would inherit current agreements (the status quo)."
The unions are hoping for back-door improvements to this year's 3 per cent offer. UCEA is prepared to reopen talks on the specifics of the dispute and to "have some opening discussions concerning the pay round 2001-02".
If the UCEA obtains the mandate it seeks, Natfhe is prepared to suspend action. If not, strikes are likely. Tom Wilson, head of universities at Natfhe, said: "Natfhe and other unions are united behind national bargaining on conditions."
UCEA chief executive Peter Humphreys was not available for comment.
- Natfhe has launched a full "academic boycott" of Sheffield Hallam University and will ballot for strikes over a threat by vice-chancellor Diana Green to dock pay from any lecturer taking part in any form of industrial action.