LECTURERS at Durham University are set to take part in two one-day strikes in a wrangle over pensions.
Members of the University and College Union (UCU) at Durham, along with colleagues at Newcastle University, will take action on Tuesday March 22.
They will also be joining in a day of action involving universities across the country two days later.
They are protesting at changes to the University Superannuation Scheme (USS) pension fund that they fear will leave them worse off.
Union officials hope to avoid a strike although they say the employers rejected an invitation to hold talks at the arbitration service, ACAS UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: “The last thing our universities need is widespread disruption and strike action always remains a last resort.
“However the employers must recognise the strength of feeling over pensions.
“Students clearly do and NUS has written to both sides urging us to get round the table and sort this out. Our diaries are clear and our message to the employers is simple: sit down with us and sort this mess out.â€
Professor Chris Higgins, Vice-Chancellor, Durham University, said: "The university is aware of potential national industrial action by members of the University and College Union (UCU).
"We are reviewing arrangements to minimise the impact any industrial action may have on our students and their education."
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