Boycott threat lifted as university staff accept new pay deal

The threat of students’ exams going unmarked has been lifted after academics voted to accept a pay offer.

Just over half of University and College Union (UCU) members took part in a ballot on the 2% deal offered by the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) and almost 84% of them voted in favour.

The proposed marking boycott has been called off.

The prospect of coursework, dissertations and final exams not being marked had led to more than 30 student leaders at Dundee University warning of a “catastrophic” impact last month, although the local branch of the UCU said they were fighting for the future of education.

A spokesman for the UCEA said they were pleased their offer for 2014/15 has been accepted.

The employers and trade unions will now discuss non-pay elements of the deal.