Though notice has been given to your employer today, of further action, the EIS-ULA Branch at Edinburgh Napier has received a local offer from Napier University on the 2022-23 pay round that supplements the national employers offer for 2022-23.
EIS-ULA Edinburgh Napier University Branch Executive Committee Branch has decided to consult members on this offer by means of an indicative ballot. This ballot will open on 1st February and run until 12pm on 10th February. Members will be asked whether they wish to accept or reject the offer.
While the offer is better than that presented nationally by UCEA, it is not an inflationary offer for 2022-23 and therefore does not meet the 2022-23 pay claim. However, the Branch Executive believes it is the best offer available by negotiation and strike on the 2022-23 dispute at this time.
The offer does not constitute a move away from the New JNCHES pay spine, and therefore does not affect Napier's position within the New JNCHES forum, though this is an unusual move from an employer in Higher Education. It is disappointing that UCEA have failed to make this offer and concerning that your management have felt the need to make an offer outside of the normal process to resolve the dispute for 2022-2023.
Members at Edinburgh Napier University will receive their ballot codes on 1st Feb. If you have not received your codes by 9am on 2nd February, please contact us immediately at ballot@eis.org.uk for replacement codes.
It is vital that as many members as possible at Edinburgh Napier University engage with this indicative ballot, so that your branch can accurately represent the views of members when responding to the offer.
Should members at Edinburgh Napier University accept the offer, Industrial Action would be halted at this institution only and the 2022-23 pay round would be settled at this Branch.
This would have no impact on the current 2023-24 pay discussions, which are separate, and would be consulted on in the normal manner.