Category Archives: USS
“Universities accept a small amount of increased risk” – Mike Otsuka’s USS update
What this UCU proposal involves and why it is justified In a meeting with Universities UK (UUK) employers on Tuesday 27 February, the University and College Union (UCU) proposed that “Universities accept a small amount of increased risk through a … Continue reading
UUK – you cannot dictate the terms on which you break your promises.
“Pension promises” are difficult. Lawyers tell me that the members of the University Superannuation Scheme (USS) do not have a contractual right to it. It could be argued that cutting off the oxygen of future accrual (as UUK are threatening … Continue reading
The rotten boroughs of the Isis and the Fens – Mike Otsuka
On the implausibility of the Registrar’s denial of disproportionate Oxbridge influence In an article in the Guardian entitled ‘Universities strike blamed on vote by Oxbridge colleges’, Richard Adams reports that “the employers’ backing” of “policies resulting in the harsh cuts” … Continue reading
As Universities prepare for a strike, teachers try to limit the damage
This morning I’m publishing two blogs, one from Mike Otsuka which looks at tomorrow’s strike by University Staff from an economic perspective, mine looking at the human aspects of the strike. . Here are two emails from teachers in the … Continue reading
The role of Cambridge Colleges in the University teacher’s strike
This article by Mike Otsuka, is designed to be read together with my blog on the emotional intelligence of the teaching staff at Girton College Cambridge. Mike’s article has been widely read and quoted around Cambridge (this is how the … Continue reading
Why are university staff going on strike?
My son has started sending me the announcements he’s been getting from his University about impending strike. He’s at one of two Universities who have been leading the charge amongst employers calling for an end to DB accrual in … Continue reading
Posted in pensions, Royal Mail, USS
Tagged pensions, Royal Mail, Stuart Croft, UCU, USS, UUK, Warwick
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Oxford’s and Cambridge’s role in the demise of USS – Mike Otsuka
To be more precise: what follows is an account of the role of these two universities, and their constituent colleges, in the demise of USS as a multi-employer scheme that promises a decent, defined benefit (DB) pension to its members. … Continue reading
Posted in actuaries, pensions, USS
Tagged Cambridge, Mike Otsuka, Oxbridge, Oxford, pensions, USS
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Can strikes now prevent the imposition of detrimental changes on USS? – Mike Otsuka
The regrettable answer is that they almost certainly cannot Please click here — “A mandate ‘to retain a decent, guaranteed pension’” — for an important update to the post below. This UCU mandate supersedes the Manchester resolution discussed below (Mike Otsuka) At a … Continue reading
Pensions: universities could learn lessons from Royal Mail
David Pitt-Watson and Hari Mann believe there could be a way to settle the ongoing pensions row amicably University employers and university staff are locked in a dispute about pensions. Both have reasonable positions. The employers say that the cost … Continue reading
Posted in pensions, Royal Mail, USS
Tagged CWU, pensions, Royal Mail, trade unions, UCU, USS
3 Comments
The magnitude of the challenge facing University staff – Mike Otsuka
Normally, an employers closing a DB plan for future accrual wouldn’t be that controversial, but our universities aren’t normal employers and these are not normal times, Mike Otsuka gives the background to the impending dispute between the Universities, its staff … Continue reading