University and college staff walk out in protest

Thousands of students at universities and colleges throughout Glasgow this week saw classes cancelled and service disrupted as public-sector workers from across Scotland walked out in a nationwide day of action.

University lecturers at higher and further eduction institutions were among 300,000 Scottish public-sector workers as part of coordinated action over pension changes.

Pickets were constructed on Glasgow and Strathclyde universities' campuses among others before staff and students assembled for a march through the city centre via George Square from midday.

Cardonald College was closed for the day while the City of Glasgow College remained open, albeit with the anticipation of "gaps in our normal range of services and facilities".

Members of the University and College Union (UCU) in the Scottish Teachers' Superannuation Scheme (STSS) opted to back a host of other public sector unions in co-ordinated action in protest at changes that would see staff pay more and work longer in exchange for reduced benefits in retirement.

Staff working in Glasgow's two oldest institutions – Glasgow and Strathclyde – belonging to the lecturers' union are already engaged in industrial action, which has seen them undertake a 'work to contract' since October.

Scotland-based UCU official, Mary Senior, called on the Scottish Government to forego implementing an increase in employee contributions next year in line with proposals south of the Border.

Senior said: "UCU members have shown they are opposed to the changes that will see them pay more and work longer in exchange for reduced benefits in retirement.

"The Scottish Government should work with the unions to seek a resolution to the dispute and not simply impose changes to pensions that will result in lecturers paying an extra £90 a month in exchange for reduced benefits."

In an email sent to all University of Strathclyde students ahead of the strike action, director of Student Experience and Enhancement Services, Dr Veena O'Halloran, said preventative steps had been taken to maintain disruption at a minimum.

She added: "The industrial action will have a significant impact on a wide range of public services on that day, including transport and schools and it is anticipated that the disruption will affect the university's normal teaching and support services.

"All classes, laboratory sessions and practice placements on that day will be cancelled. Making this decision now, means that students will not be inconvenienced by coming to university on the day to find that it has been necessary to cancel a class.

"All classes and other activity affected by the industrial action will be re-scheduled where necessary, and the university will take steps to minimise the impact on students' learning and assessment."

However, services such as the university's Library and Student Support Services were still to be made available, O'Halloran said.