Accusations of game playing ahead of campus strikes

Employers and staff union lock horns over upcoming industrial action at universities

A row has erupted between employers and the University and College Union as strike action looms over pensions and pay. Employers have asked staff to think again before striking over unaffordable demands, while the union has questioned whether university managers are serious about negotiating.

In an open letter to staff at strike-hit universities, vice-chancellors’ body Universities UK (UUK) and the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (Ucea) urged the union and its members to “reconsider” the upcoming industrial action.