The University of Stirling is set to strike for 14 days over a four week period commencing February 26 over changes to the UK’s biggest higher education pension scheme.
Talks last week with employers and the University and College Union (UCU) resulted in no agreement being reached.
Sixty-one universities from across the UK will strike over the same issue starting from February 22 and 23. Stirling, alongside King’s, Queen Mary and Edinburgh, will take action in the second week of striking due to their academic calendars.
Further strike action will take place on March 5 for four days and March 12 for five days.
Lecturers will also walk out for two days on Monday 19 and 20 March.
With regards to whether lectures and classes will be cancelled, Union President Astrid Smallenbroek said: “We are currently following this up and the Students’ Union will be meeting with UCU next week. As soon as we have more information we will ensure that it is disseminated to students.”
The UCU has claimed the changes to the Universities Superannuation Scheme will leave lecturers almost £10,000 worse off in retirement than the current set-up.
A spokesperson for the University of Stirling has said: “The university has been informed of the results of a ballot by the University and College’s Union (UCU). In the event of strike action, the University’s priority would be to minimise disruption to students.”
In a ballot cast last year, 73.6% of those from Stirling were in favour of strike action providing the desired outcome wasn’t achieved through negotiations.
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What about students who have already missed these weeks study? What about their exams? Plus accommodation which has been paid and they have came home due to no classes. Absolutely outrageous. Students considering whether to even bother finishing their course. Stirling university has been a shambles this year since the start of my daughters course, no accommodation being put u in more expensive accommodation and not even being there to use it. Confidence in my daughter has gone right out the window and her durst time being away from home. Its a joke.
The figure of £10,000 worse off is misleading. UCU estimates that the impact on a pension fund of an average lecturer will be £200,000; or £10,000 per annum. Your article suggests a total net loss of £10,000.
Also, it would be worth sharing the UCU video made for students, to raise awareness of the reasons for strike action: https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/9309/Strike-message-to-students#.WnL2ofndsRs.twitter
Remember too, that many professional services staff will also be affected by the USS pension changes, and that several of them will also be out on strike too!