Industrial action by the Association of University Teachers (AUT) came to an end with immediate effect on 30 April when the union announced that 84.5% of members nationally had voted in favour of a new Framework Agreement supporting the modernization of university pay and grading structures.

Because of the dispute, academic and academic-related staff at Sussex had not received a pay award for 2003/04. Those staff affected received the new salary and their arrears with their April pay.

The unions representing clerical, manual and technical staff - Amicus and UNISON - had already signed up to the new Framework Agreement. As a result, pay awards were made to staff at Sussex in these groups in November 2003.

"The University is delighted with the outcome of the national ballot," said the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alasdair Smith, in a message to staff. "We will now work closely with all the campus unions in implementing the Agreement, and will keep staff informed of progress."