2026-27 New JNCHES pay round

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It's that time of year again.
UCU - HE negotiations 2026-27

The negotiating meetings for JNCHES 2026-27 are on:

• Tuesday 31 March 2026 (awaiting the outcome of this)
• Thursday 9 April 2026
• Wednesday 13 May 2026

The main ask is "an increase on all pay points of at least RPI + 3% or £3,000, whichever is higher".

How is this even possible? Why are they so useless?

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/pay-rises-uk-universities-hold-unions-consider-strikes

Waiting for GMB to consult members and announce the outcome of that consultation. Until that is done, the dispute resolution procedure cannot commence. While we are waiting for that no university, involved in collective bargaining, can implement the raise even as an interim measure it seems.

My employer hasn't even had the courtesy to put out a staff announcement explaining this.

No guarantee of back pay.

It sounds like GMB are some way off even consulting their members:

https://www.gmb.org.uk/public-services/schools-academies-and-education/higher-education-noticeboard

So, yes, unions meeting jointly in December sounds correct. What a joke.

i hate them. I'd rather have 2% now than 2.1% later.

Agree. I do not know what UCU expect. There is no money for a higher % raise across all institutions - this is the reality of collective bargaining. Depressing but true. This will be another wasted six sodding months of strike / not strike, no increase implemented in the meantime (and possibly no back pay), and UCU pouring time and energy into this rather than engaging constructively with the Gov to work in partnership to address the binfire that is UK HE.