The University and College Union (UCU), general secretary, Sally Hunt has demanded that Universities UK (UUK) comes back with a “better offer” as the union threatens more strike action.

It comes as Universities Minister Sam Gyimah called on all sides to re-double their efforts to reach a “constructive agreement” that will protect students’ education.

“I remain deeply concerned about the impact on students as a result of the failure to settle the USS pensions dispute. Last week, UUK and UCU negotiators agreed a potential settlement to the dispute in talks facilitated by Acas, this deal included an independent valuation of the scheme. I was disappointed that the deal was rejected by UCU the next day,” he said.

In addition, he stated that under the current mandate UCU has no remit to directly disrupt students’ exams. However, in response, UCU said it had an incredibly strong mandate for further strikes if the dispute could not be resolved.

The union said it shared the minister's concerns about disruption to students, but only an improved offer could ensure no further strikes. In the recent ballot, UCU members overwhelmingly backed industrial action, with 88 per cent of members who voted backing strike action on a turnout 58 per cent.

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: “We share the minister's concerns about disruption to students' education and want to resolve this dispute as soon as possible. However, we are clear that the only way this dispute will be sorted is with the employers presenting an improved offer.

“We have an incredibly strong mandate for 14 more days of strikes that will impact on the exam and assessment period. We know that students do not want universities to try and implement contingency plans to mitigate the impact of action - they want this dispute to be sorted. The most effective way to avoid further disruption is for the employers to come back to the table with a better offer.”

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