University staff are to strike for three days next month in disputes over pensions, pay and working conditions.
Members of the University and College Union (UCU) will walk out between December 1-3 following votes in favour of industrial action.
The strikes will hit 58 universities across the UK - including nine in Scotland - before the Christmas break.
Staff from Heriot-Watt University, Dundee University, Stirling University, Edinburgh University, Glasgow University and St Andrews University are taking action over both pay and pensions.
Edinburgh Napier University, Glasgow School of Art, Queen Margaret University will be affected by workers taking action over pay.
UCU general secretary Jo Grady has warned that more industrial action could take place in the spring if the row with employers remains unresolved.
Earlier this month, UCU members backed strike action in two separate disputes, one on pensions and one on pay and working conditions.
Overall, 76% of UCU members who voted backed strike action in the ballot over changes to pensions.
In the ballot on pay and conditions, 70% of members backed strike action.
As well as the three strike days, union members will begin other forms of industrial action from December 1.
This will include strictly working to contract and refusing any additional duties.
This is set to go on indefinitely for the five months staff have a mandate to take industrial action for, UCU has said.
Dr Grady said: “Strikes over three consecutive days are set to hit university campuses next month unless employers get round the table and take staff concerns over pension cuts, pay and working conditions seriously.
“UCU has repeatedly asked employers to meet with us to try to resolve these disputes. But while we set out pragmatic solutions that could halt widespread disruption to UK campuses, university bosses refuse to revoke unnecessary, swingeing pension cuts or even to negotiate on issues like casualisation and the unbearably high workloads that blight higher education.
“A resolution to this dispute is simple. But if employers remain intent on slashing pensions and exploiting staff who have kept this sector afloat during a pandemic then campuses will face strike action before Christmas, which will escalate into spring with reballots and further industrial action.”
The UCU claims that cuts to the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) pensions scheme would reduce the guaranteed retirement income of a typical member by 35%.
It has also suggested that pay for university staff fell by 17.6% relative to inflation between 2009 and 2019, and since then employers have made below-inflation offers, with the latest worth 1.5%.
A Universities UK spokesperson, which represents employers in the pensions dispute, said: “We regret that the UCU is proceeding with plans for industrial action despite the fact that fewer than 10% of eligible pension scheme members voted yes to strike action. Strike action will not address the urgent need for reform to keep the scheme affordable.
“Universities will put in place measures to minimise the impact on students, other staff and the wider university community and will ensure that students can continue to learn and receive support.
“We have repeatedly stated willingness to consult employers on any viable, affordable and implementable alternative proposal from the UCU and we remain fully committed to continuing talks to develop a joint approach to the future of the pension scheme.”
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