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University staff start strike action over pensions

Curtis Lancasterand
Marcus White,South of England
The strike action began outside the main university building on Monday

University staff are holding two days of strike action in a dispute over pensions.

The University and College Union (UCU) has accused Southampton Solent University of forcing staff out of their pension scheme and threatening dismissal if they object.

However, the university said it had not formally proposed any alteration to pensions and would not sack staff for refusing change.

Walk-outs by union members are taking place on Monday with a second strike planned for 17 February.

News imageBBC/Briony Leyland A row of people on a picket line in Southampton. They are outside Solent University and are holding signs from the UCU union that say 'defend pensions' and 'ucu official dispite'.BBC/Briony Leyland
Southampton Solent University faces two days of strikes

The dispute began in December when the university transferred 286 staff to a subsidiary company, Solent University Services Ltd, the union said.

The change forced those staff out of the Local Government Pension Scheme and into a less generous scheme, UCU said.

It added: "University management told the 286 staff to email HR by 'close of business' if they 'object to the transfer' and that their employment would then cease immediately."

Meanwhile, the university wants to move academic staff from the Teachers' Pension Scheme to a pension which could leave them up to £10,000 a year worse off, UCU said.

News imageBBC/Briony Leyland A man standing alongside a picket line outside a large building. He is wearing a pink cap and shirt with a grey jacket. He has black glasses and a short grey beard. People behind are photographed out of focus and are holding pink, white and purple signs.BBC/Briony Leyland
University and College Union branch president Steve Desmond was on the picket line

Union branch president Steve Desmond said that change was "undermining standards across the entire sector".

The university's student portal said most teaching would continue as planned on strike days, although it added: "Lectures, seminars, and workshops may be cancelled and marking and feedback may be delayed."

In a statement, the university said: "We are disappointed that UCU have decided to undertake strike action before any formal proposals related to academic pensions have been put forward by the university, and we refute any claim that staff were, or are, at risk of having their employment terminated for refusing change.

"The lack of flexibility in pension provision for post-92 institutions means that, like many universities, Southampton Solent is exploring necessary measures to strengthen our financial sustainability and secure jobs.

"We are committed to comprehensive engagement with staff, unions and other key stakeholders ahead of any decision being taken that would impact staff's pension provision."

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