University staff out for a third day

The union representing striking academics has said employers need to make a “meaningful” offer on pay and pensions, as they walked out for their third day of industrial action.

Thousands of university staff joined strike action yesterday, affecting 17 universities across Scotland.

The University and College Union (UCU) says members' pay has lost 25 per cent of its value since 2009, while cuts have reduced their expected pension income by 35 per cent.

UCU members gathered in a rally outside the scottish parliament.

The strike action is taking place across the UK, though university leaders yesterday met union officials to discuss pay and conditions.

Further talks will take place today around pension arrangements.

UCU Scotland official Mary Senior said: "Our members are particularly angry about the way that their pay has been held down.”