STRIKES are set to continue at University of Dundee from Monday by staff following a disbute over a pension scheme. 

All members of Unison are striking on Monday and Tuesday next week, along with Unite and the University and College Union, who are joining the picket line for the first time. 

They want to see their employer continue to offer fair pensions to all its employees.

Industrial action will take place in select departments in the days after too.

Libraries, security and the mail are stiking for the next fortnight and finance for the next week.

Unite say they will be keeping all their members out on strike beyond October 26.

Protests kicked off in September over the plans to close the University of Dundee Superannuation Scheme.

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Unions say that low-paid employees and particularly women will be worse off, as it affects those on grade one to six contracts. 

Unison Branch Secretary Phil Welsh said: “We met with the Principal on Tuesday to set up a framework to negotiate a reformed Defined Benefit option.

"Unfortunately he continues to prefer pushing ahead with an inferior Defined Contribution scheme and insist that any alternative must fit within a “cost and risk envelope” which has never been shared with us.

“We have not detected any genuine change of heart from the University regarding its proposals which would slash retirement incomes for our members and leave them bearing all the risks of any investment shortfalls.

“We presented the new framework to members on Wednesday, and they emphatically rejected the proposal- 96.4% of members rejected a Defined Contribution scheme”.

A spokesperson for the university said:"Professor Iain Gillespie, Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University, accompanied by members of his Executive Group, last week met with representatives of the campus unions. At this meeting, he offered to withdraw the defined contribution proposal currently on the table, as the unions had requested. 

“The Principal also offered to work with the unions on an improved defined contribution option, and to fully explore defined benefit alternatives and options that retain an element of defined benefit.

“It was requested that the unions agree to withdraw their planned industrial action to allow us to immediately progress with discussions on this basis.

“The unions have rejected our proposed way forward and will go ahead with the strike. This is particularly disappointing given the offer to withdraw the current option and discuss defined benefit options, which we had understood were the unions’ pre-conditions for the re-starting of discussions.

“We remain committed to finding a solution that will provide a dignified retirement for our staff, while being affordable for all parties and tackling the significant issues that UODSS faces. The scheme currently has a deficit of £55 million and the University has pledged £40 million over the next 10 years to address this.”