A SCOTTISH university has come under fire for sending "bullying" emails to staff taking part in industrial action over pensions.

The attack from lecturers' union UCU Scotland comes after the University of Glasgow asked all members of staff to tell it whether they were intending to take industrial action.

Under the industrial action, lecturers across the UK have started an assessment boycott, meaning thousands of students will not receive marks or feedback for official assessments.

The UCU said the approach from Glasgow is in contrast with that of other Scottish universities including Aberdeen, which has questioned the proposed changes to pensions.

Mary Senior, UCU Scotland official, said: "It is disappointing some universities are using bullying tactics to send threatening emails to staff who are continuing to perform the vast majority of their duties.

"It is clear there is a growing band of universities that are criticising these damaging plans to take thousands of pounds out of our members' pensions."

A spokesman for the University of Glasgow said: "We are disappointed at the decision by UCU to call on members to take part in an assessment and marking boycott. We have been in touch with staff to ask that they consider the impact that such an action might have on our students and to underline that talks between the employers and the unions are continuing."

The row centres on the Universities Superannuation Scheme, which provides pensions for staff at universities including Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow.