UCU’s higher education committee (HEC) met on Tuesday 14th January. HEC has decided to seek members’ views on new proposals aimed at resolving the current dispute. The proposals do provide some improvement in accrual rates and an increase in the earnings cap but also include proposed increases in members’ contributions. The action which was due to resume on Friday 16 January is suspended while the union consults members.

The union is now making urgent arrangements with the Electoral Reform Society to conduct an online ballot of members regarding acceptance or rejection of the proposals as soon as practically possible.