SCOTTISH university students are facing two days of disruption as lecturers walk out in a UK-wide protest over pay.
The University and College Union (UCU) has organised a national strike on Wednesday and Thursday followed by a work to rule.
That means staff will refuse to work overtime, set additional work or undertake any voluntary duties such as covering timetabled classes for absent colleagues.
The dispute has arisen following a pay offer of 1.1 per cent from the employer body, the Universities and Colleges Employer’s Association (UCEA), up from an initial offer of one per cent.
The union described the increase as an insult and claimed that it does not begin to address a 14.5 per cent real terms pay cut suffered by higher education staff since 2009. However, employers argue any further increase is not affordable.
Mary Senior, UCU Scotland official, said: "The last thing university staff want to do is take industrial action. Staff have, however, been forced into this by this derisory offer.
"For the employers to come back to the table with only an additional 0.1 per cent at the same time university principals are receiving inflation-busting rises only means our members are more determined than ever to win a fair settlement.
"Our universities in Scotland are world class institutions because of the work carried out by staff who teach students and carry out research and it is only fair that the pay award should reflect this."
Professor Sir Paul Curran, chair of UCEA, said: “Having listened, considered and responded to the trade unions on all aspects of their claim the employers remain committed to the fair final offer they have made.
"We have explained that this offer is at, and for some beyond, a limit of affordability for higher education institutions and the very best offer that will be available this year.
"All we seek now is for all the trade unions to put this offer to their members in full and within the context of a financially challenging year. All parties I’m sure share an interest in reaching a settlement that is both fair and sustainable for institutions, their staff and students."
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