Staff at Stirling University have voted for strike action over an ongoing dispute related to pay, conditions and pensions.
The action is set to be taken by members of the UCU at around 150 institutions across the UK, with more than 70,000 university staff impacted.
Members voted in two separate ballots - one on pay and conditions and the other on mooted changes to pensions - and received an 80 per cent positive response in both.
The union has now called on vice-chancellors at universities across the UK to get back around the negotiating table and make improved offers.
The union says its demands include a “meaningful pay rise” in the face of cost-of-living pressures and a call for employers to revoke a “35 per cent cut” to the guaranteed retirement income of the average member.
It says it will discuss next steps at a meeting on November 3, with possible strike dates being released at that point.
UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “Today history has been made by our members in universities, who in huge numbers have delivered an unprecedented mandate for strike action.
“The vice chancellors who run universities have repeatedly and in a coordinated fashion come after our members. Well, now it’s 150 bosses against 70,000 university workers who are ready and willing to bring the entire sector to a standstill, if serious negotiations don’t start very soon.
“University staff are crucial workers in communities. They are sending a clear message that they will not accept falling pay, insecure employment and attacks on pensions.
“They know their power and are ready to take back what is theirs from a sector raking in tens of billions of pounds.”
However, the organisation which represents university employers in the UK stressed the measures were fair.
A Universities UK spokesperson said: “We understand that the ballot results may leave students concerned about the impact that potential industrial action could have on their degrees.
Universities are adept at mitigating the impact of strikes on student learning, and so prepared for any further possible industrial action over the coming months.
“Employer contributions to USS pensions, which rose to 21.6 per cent of salary in April, are among the highest in the country and at the very limit of affordability.
“This contribution rise, together with the significant covenant commitments made by employers, lessened the benefit reforms and avoided huge cost increases for both employers and staff in the last scheme valuation. This support from employers alongside the effects of rising interest rates on the scheme explains why USS now appears to be in better financial shape.
“The USS Trustee will conduct a full valuation scheduled for March 2023, at which point stakeholders will be able to consider any improvements to the scheme which could be made in a sustainable way. However, at this time and in the current volatile economic climate, the USS Trustee insists that there is no solid evidence or basis to establish a long-term view of any substantive improvement in the scheme’s funding position.
“Should UCU decide to take industrial action, unfortunately this is likely to impede joint working on the next valuation, and delay much-needed changes such as governance reform of the scheme and the introduction of lower cost options for members.”
A University of Stirling spokesperson said: “The national ballot result is disappointing.
“If we receive notification of action locally, we will do all that we can to ensure there is minimal disruption to the learning and teaching experience of our students, and to our staff.”
