The Association of University Teachers has rejected a two year pay offer worth 3.5% in the first year followed by 3% the year after. The offer was made to the AUT and other higher education unions during negotiations with employers on the 17th and 18th of July.

The increase is substantially less than the 14% increase over three years that the AUT were demanding. A briefing note issued by the AUT describes the proposed increases as “low, when compared to inflation and the other conditions that management have laid down”.

The AUT Executive Committee discussed the proposed offer on 28th July and decided to reject it in its current form. The other main lecturer’s union, Nafthe has not yet made a decision on whether to accept the offer but has described it as “very disappointing.”

The AUT’s decision could lead to industrial action if further negotiations are unsuccessful. Last year a strike by a number of trade unions caused widespread disruption across London’s colleges, although it had only a minimal effect on Imperial College.