Following the recent electronic consultation on the employers’ proposals it has been confirmed that there were majority votes in favour of noting the proposal in the pensions dispute and rejecting the proposal in the pay and conditions dispute.

This means that the marking and assessment boycott (MAB) will start on 20 April 2023 as planned. If you haven’t had a chance to attend one of assessment and marking boycott training sessions you can watch the recording on YouTube and download the accompanying presentation and delivery notes. For further information please see the marking and assessment boycott FAQs and the UCU MAB Guide for 2023.

Branch reps met with HR earlier today to discuss the MAB. The early indications are that management are planning to deduct 50% of salary for participation in the MAB. This still needs to be confirmed by the University Executive but it would be a punitive measure, and significantly more than the 30% that was deducted in summer 2022.

We will be discussing all of this in an online branch member’s meeting on Tuesday 18 April at 3.30. Zoom links for the meeting have been sent by email. Please join the meeting to have your say and help us plan for another effective MAB at Heriot-Watt. On Thursday branch representatives will attend a national special sector conference.