Stirling University’s principal has been urged to get involved in a long-running pension dispute which has seen staff walk out in recent weeks.
Recent strike action at the university organised by the University and College Union (UCU) was called over proposed changes to the University Superannuation Scheme, which some affected staff believe will lead to a 35 per cent cut in their retirement income.
An open letter, which has so far gathered 381 signatures, has now been published and slams the lack of response from the university’s management on the issue and calls on principal Professor Sir Gerry McCormac to make a statement urging a return to negotiations on the dispute.
In the letter, the affected Stirling staff write: “We find it hard to think of an employment-related issue that has generated more anger and distress during our academic careers.
“The effect of the changes will be least on those in the most senior positions towards the end of their careers, while they will be devastating for younger and more junior colleagues, and those on lower incomes and part-time contracts (a group including a disproportionately high number of female colleagues).
“This has happened after staff have worked above-and-beyond during the pandemic with excessive workloads.”
The letter also records the “dismay” of those involved about the university’s lack of a formal comment on the pensions dispute and stressed the need for a response before the pensions changes are locked in next month.
A spokesperson for UCU Stirling told the Observer: “Many staff at Stirling, not just UCU members, and not just academics, are impacted by the pension cuts, and many of those most impacted have not been able to join this strike action.
“There has been no statement from our principal on how he views the pension cuts, and his silence on other equalities issues that are impacting staff at Stirling right now has created the perception that there is no leadership at the University of Stirling - hiding behind statements by Universities UK is unacceptable after all the staff sacrifices over last couple of years to get the University of Stirling through the pandemic.
“Professor Sir Gerry McCormac has also failed to issue any statement in his capacity as convenor of Universities Scotland, on behalf of the HE sector in Scotland, during this latest phase of this dispute.”
They also hit out at the lack of response from Stirling MP Alyn Smith on the pensions changes.
The spokesperson said: “Staff across the university are also wondering where our local MP stands on these issues - he is a vice-chair on the council of the Universities APPG at Westminster but seems so uninterested in the 35 per cent cut to pensions that hundreds of his constituents have just had imposed on them that he has yet to express an opinion.”
In response, Mr Smith released a statement urging university management and striking staff members to get back around the negotiating table in an effort to resolve the ongoing issues.
Mr Smith said: “I of course support fair conditions for workers, including those who help educate the next generation of citizens.
“I also appreciate the difficult position universities across the UK find themselves in regarding sustainable finances, particularly in light of Brexit, the pandemic and ongoing economic uncertainty.
“I urge UCU and UUK to get back around the negotiating table to ensure their shared interest – the quality education of our students – remains the key focus. I remain willing to assist where possible to help facilitate a resolution.”
A Stirling University spokesperson said: “The ongoing industrial action taking place at institutions across the UK relates to two national disputes - the 2021/22 national pay award and reforms to the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) pension scheme.
“On pensions, the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) - made up of member representatives from the higher education sector and the UCU - formally voted to implement a package of reforms to conclude the 2020 valuation of the USS pension scheme, following a period of extensive consultation.
“The USS package of reforms is due to be implemented from 1 April 2022.”
