University staff have voted in favour of strike action over cost of living allowances in London.

The one-day walkout on 14 November will disrupt lectures, tutorials and services for students across the capital.

The whole of education in London needs more support

Paul Mackney, Natfhe

Some universities may even be forced to close.

Members of three unions - the Association of University Teachers (AUT), Natfhe and Unison - voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action.

The unions say staff at the University of London receive just �2,134 London weighting, while staff at the new universities get between �603 and �2,355 - well below the allowance given to the capital's teachers.

London teachers will stage their second strike this year on 26 November

University staff say they cannot afford the high cost of living in London and want London weighting raised to �4,000.

The move by lecturers comes as members of the two largest school teachers' unions - the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) - prepare for a one-day walkout over London weighting on 26 November.

The two unions want their London allowance to be increased to �6,000 per annum, in line with what Metropolitan police officers receive. Currently teachers get between �800 and �3,000.

'United' action

AUT general secretary Sally Hunt said: "During the last ten years house prices in the capital have increased by 155% and yet London weighting for staff at the University of London has been frozen."

"We get constant letters, emails and telephone calls from poorly paid university staff who have to live in student-standard accommodation or have to rely on financial support from their relatives or partners."

Natfhe general secretary Paul Mackney said: "Staff in higher education, in London, are united in demanding an allowance that reflects their value to the life of London and its economy - and the true cost of living in the capital."

"Along with the teachers' ballot results it is clear that the whole of education in London needs more support."

Unison's regional head of higher education, Lynnette Savings said: "Unison's members across London's universities have spoken out against low pay in the capital by supporting the strike call."

"By joining with the other university unions, the campaign for �4,000 London Weighting has gained real momentum.