Pay negotiations for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) covered by New JNCHES have now concluded with another below inflation pay offer. You can vote on the offer here.
Pay offer
The joint trade unions met with the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) on 13 May 2026 to seek an agreement on the 2026/27 pay round. UCEA has made an offer of an increase of 2% on all pay points and an offer to enter negotiations to review the national pay spine.
UNISON’s Higher Education Service Group Executive met on 15 May to consider the offer. They agreed that members covered by the New JNCHES negotiations would be consulted on the offer as soon as possible with a recommendation that the offer is rejected.
In our claim, the unions called for:
- an increase on all pay points of at least RPI + 3% or £3,000, whichever is the greater
- an increase to bring the minimum hourly rate of pay to £15/hour and for all HEIs to become Foundation Living Wage employers
a review of the New JNCHES pay spine - UCEA to work with the unions to develop meaningful and inclusive career pathways for professional services staff
proceed with joint working on the other three negotiating groups: contract types, workload, and equality pay gaps - UCEA to work with the joint trade unions to lobby the UK government on Higher Education funding reform
to convene meetings of the Scottish sub-committee of New - JNCHES as set out under the New JNCHES agreement
UCEA to work with the joint trade unions to avoid redundancies through the following
UNISON Pay Offer Consultation Process
The UNISON consultative pay ballot has closed with the majority voting to reject the offer. The Higher Education Service Group Executive are meeting with the other unions to discuss next steps.
Additional Information: