Mandate for strike action is carried – here is the letter from Sally Hunt in full

Dear colleague

Trade dispute between UCU and your employer concerning proposed detrimental changes to the University Superannuation Scheme (USS) and your employer’s failure to agree a collective agreement with UCU to protect pension benefits.

The ballot closed at noon on Monday 20 October 2014. The responses to the questions members were balloted on are as follows:

Are you prepared to take industrial action consisting of strike action?

Number of ballot papers counted: 17,212
Number voting YES: 13,395 (77.8%)
Number voting NO: 3,817 (22.2%)

Are you prepared to take industrial action consisting of action short of a strike?

Number of ballot papers counted: 17,154
Number voting YES: 14,879 (86.7%)
Number voting NO: 2,275 (13.3%)

The turnout was 44.5%. You can view the full scrutineer’s report here: http://www.ucu.org.uk/?mediaid=6867

Please note that the next negotiating meeting is Wednesday 22 October 2014 and the union’s higher education committee meets on Friday 24 October to discuss next steps.

Yours sincerely

Sally Hunt
UCU general secretary