Around 43,000 members of the University and College Union (UCU) have began an eight day strike in rows over pay conditions and pensions.
60 UK institutions are taking part in the strike, including lecturers, student support services staff, technicians, administrators and tutors affecting around 1m students.
UCU general secretary Jo Grady told the PA, โWe have told members they need to be prepared to take eight days of action and they are prepared to take eight days of action.
โIt is sad for university staff to be back here, they donโt take strike action lightly โ they donโt get paid and they donโt get to do the jobs they love.โ
Grady added, โIf we donโt get a long-term sustainable settlement, then we will be in a position where we will be considering more action.โ
A spokesman for USS employers said: โItโs important to remember that members voting โyesโ to strike action over pensions account for less than 10% of the schemeโs eligible membership.
โUniversities are doing everything they can to ensure that students do not lose out. Online learning materials, libraries and student support services will remain available throughout this period to support studentsโ independent study.
โToday we are reiterating our call to the union to focus its efforts on continuing talks to reach a joint and fair solution.โ
Shadow education secretary Angela Rayner said, โFair pay, secure contracts, reasonable workloads and decent, affordable pensions should come as standard for all those working in education, including in our universities.
โThousands are on strike today because that simply isnโt the case in the increasingly marketised system that the Tories have created.
โLabour will end the failed free market experiment in education and instead put staff and students first.โ
Leave a Comment