The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Uni bosses and unions urged to resume talks
Workers man picket lines as a month of planned strike action begins
University bosses and union officials are being urged to find a solution to a bitter row over pensions, as workers took to picket lines over the issue yesterday.
Campuses around the UK are facing disruption as members of the University and College Union (UCU) stage the first wave in a planned month of industrial action.
The UCU said more than 145,000 students will be affected by the strikes, with 10 institutions ultimately taking part.
Universities Minister Sam Gyimah called on both parties to get back to the negotiating table, saying he was “deeply concerned” about the impact strikes would have on students.
A recent ballot saw more than fourfifths of UCU members back strike action in a 63% turnout in Scotland.
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard visited the picket line at Glasgow University.
He said: “I am happy to show my support and solidarity with university academic staff who are taking a stand against a proposed punitive cut in their pensions.”
The dispute centres on proposals put forward by Universities UK (UUK) for changes to the universities superannuation scheme (USS).
UUK claims the pension scheme has a deficit of more than £6 billion that cannot be ignored, and that it has met union officials more than 35 times to discuss reforms.
The UCU has argued that the current proposals would leave a typical lecturer almost £10,000 a year worse off in retirement.
Further strike action is also planned for Monday March 5 through to Thursday March 8, followed by a fiveday walk-out from March 12-16.
UCU Scotland official Mary Senior said: “Nobody wants to take strike action, but staff across Scotland feel they have no choice.
“These hardline proposals would slash staff pensions and are simply uncalled for.
Universities UK said it has met UCU over 35 times in the last year to discuss reforms.
A spokesman said: “UUK remains at the negotiating table, but so far UCU has refused to engage on how best to address the funding challenges facing USS. It is important now that UCU engages on how best to ensure the long-term sustainability of the scheme.”