The decision by the 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of York to deduct 100 per cent pay in response to the 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ and College Union¡¯s democratic mandate to initiate an assessment boycott in the Universities Superannuation Scheme pension dispute (¡°UCU ready to ¡®dig in¡¯ for a long war on pensions¡±, News, 30 October) can only be seen as a new low in industrial relations in higher education.

Even where employers deducted 100 per cent of pay for partial performance in the 2013-14 pay dispute, they did so only for those days where two-hour strikes took place. York now has the unenviable achievement of topping at least one league table ¨C that of least union-friendly universities in the UK.

As has been identified, the proposals for change increase rather than decrease risks within the pension scheme and are based on flawed analysis. That no proposals, guarantees or safeguards have been outlined for the defined contribution part of the new scheme further suggests that the decision to make these changes has nothing to do with ensuring that the USS remains an attractive or stable pension scheme and, instead, everything to do with undermining it altogether.

Removing the so-called deficit, reducing employer contributions and transferring risk to individual members thus lays the groundwork for the future privatisation of higher education.

51¹ú²úÊÓƵ

The UCU has a clear mandate for national strike action in defence of pensions, a membership that has voted in the largest turnout in its history for this action and the ability to ensure that higher education remains a public good. We must now respond with all-out national strike action not only to defend our pay and conditions but also to retain a higher education system that remains under public control.

James Cussens
Branch secretary, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of York UCU

51¹ú²úÊÓƵ

Marion Hersh
UCU national executive committee (higher education), 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Glasgow

Lesley McGorrigan
51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Leeds and UCU NEC (higher education)

Lee Jones
Queen Mary 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of London

Sean Wallis
President 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ College London UCU and UCU NEC member (higher education)

Carlo Morelli
Vice-president 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Dundee UCU, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Dundee

51¹ú²úÊÓƵ

Sara Munday
Postdoctoral researcher in mathematics, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of York

Malcolm Povey
Past UCU President 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Leeds and ex-UCU NEC (higher education)

Wendy Olsen
51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Manchester

John Parrington
51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Oxford

Alpesh Maisuria
51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of East London

Roddy Slorach
UCU equality and diversity rep, Imperial College London

Patrick Baker
Goldsmiths, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of London