Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:41 pm on 27 February 2018.
Yes, I think a lot of us have a lot of sympathy with the UCU employees. I understand that the talks broke down on the casting vote of the chair. So, it was hardly a good discussion even at that point. I think we take the firm view that we need to get them back into the negotiating arrangements, to get the vice-chancellors to come to that table with an open mind and to get the very best deal for UCU colleagues that can be got, because it's quite clear that they are the absolute pivot of the world-class universities that we have in Wales and throughout the UK and they clearly ought to be remunerated accordingly.