The University of Hertfordshire's University and College Union rep believes the new anti-strike bill is a "severe attack on the human rights", after facing disappointment in negotiations to reach a deal.

A negotiation meeting took place on Monday, January 9, where Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) refused to make an offer for 2022/23, and demanded the UCU suspend planned industrial actions as a pre-condition to receiving one. 

Jo Grady, UCU’s general secretary said: “This is a deeply unserious way to negotiate.” 

This came a few hours after plans for an anti-strike bill were unveiled, in order to ensure public service sectors maintain a level of service during strike action. 

The bill is not set to become law until later in the year - provided it is passed by the House of Lords. 

In response to the new legislation, Hatfield's University of Hertfordshire UCU rep Katrina Navickas said: “The branch committee is opposed to the anti-strike bill and the government's proposals on enforcing minimum service levels.

"We believe it is a severe attack on the human right to organise and withdraw labour.

“We offer solidarity to all trade unions and workers when pay and conditions are being severely eroded by government policies, and we believe in the right to associate to defend pay and conditions.” 

Trade unions that were present at the negotiations have agreed to bring forward the 2023/24 pay round, and UCU is expecting UCEA to make a serious offer prior to their next meeting on Monday, January 16. 

In her statement, Jo added: “The joint trade unions are eager to resolve the disputes but can only do so if offers for both 2022/23 and 2023/24 are forthcoming. 

“By not even providing a starting offer, UCEA is putting the entire university sector on a collision course with unprecedented strike action.”