Universities could be hit with 14 days of strikes if the University and College Union (UCU) and Universities UK fail to reach an agreement, in a row over proposed changes to the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS).

The news comes after 88 per cent of UCU members backed industrial action, while 93 per cent backed action short of a strike, as members from 61 universities hit the polls last Thursday (18 January 2017).

The UUK's proposed plans will see members lose guaranteed benefits from the current defined benefit scheme, to be replaced by a pension income related to the stock market.

Talks between the UCU and UUK will conclude tomorrow (23 January 2018), however the UCU said it would be happy to extend talks in order to avoid strike action.

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: “Universities will be hit with levels of strike action not seen before on UK campuses if a deal cannot be done over the future of USS pensions. Members have made it quite clear they are prepared to take action to defend their pensions and the universities need to work with us to avoid widespread disruption.

“Even at this late stage we urge universities to work with us to reach an agreement that protects the defined benefit element of USS pensions.”

The strikes would last in blocks of up to five days and the Union has said the members will also work to contract, refusing to cover classes or reschedule those lost to strike action.

The first strikes would most likely start with a two-day walkout on 22 and 23 February, and eventually progress to three-, four- and five-day walkouts in future weeks.

“UCU members have made it quite clear that they are prepared to take sustained strike action to defend their pensions.

“USS already offers worse benefits than other schemes available in universities, and UUK’s proposals would make matters worse. I hope more vice-chancellors will pressure their negotiators to work with us to resolve the matter without strike action.”

Universities which will be in reading week when strike action begins, such as Imperial and Edinburgh, will be able to start their action in term time in order to maximise impact.

In addition, UCU said it hopes the “overwhelming mandate” for strike would focus universities minds and encourage more vice-chancellors to publically pressure the UUK to agree to a deal.

In November, University of Warwick vice-chancellor, professor Stuart Croft warned in a blog post that the proposed changes to USS would have “serious consequences” for affected universities.

Findings by independent experts First Actuarial showed that University staff starting work now could be as much as £200,000 worse off in retirement under the new proposals for the USS.

The research also suggested that lecturers who worked in post-1992 universities, or polytechnics, could lose out on as much as £385,000 if academics were signed up to the rival Teachers’ Pension Scheme, instead of USS.

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