Stirling University staff strike

Staff at Stirling University are striking, in a dispute over pay and working conditions.

Members of the UCU trade union are walking out.

Workers at more than 150 UK universities are taking part in strike action.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: ‘University staff are taking the biggest strike action in the history of higher education. They have had enough of falling pay, pension cuts and gig-economy working conditions - all whilst vice-chancellors and principals enjoy lottery win salaries and live it up in their grace and favour mansions.

‘Staff are burnt out, but they are fighting back and they will bring the whole sector to a standstill. Vice-chancellors and principals only have themselves to blame. Their woeful leadership has led to the biggest vote for strike action ever in our sector.  Students are standing with staff because they know this can’t go on.

‘Further disruption can be avoided if the concerns of staff are addressed with urgency. But the overpaid vice-chancellors and principals killing our sector should be under no illusion: 70,000 dedicated university workers across the UK are ready to take even bigger action in the New Year.’

NUS Scotland president Ellie Gomersall said: ‘NUS Scotland stands in solidarity with university staff in Scotland and across the UK striking this week. Staff teaching conditions are students’ learning conditions, and we must fight together for a fairer, healthier education system for everyone who works and studies.

‘The struggles we face as students are inextricably linked to the reasons that staff are striking. High rents, astronomical international student fees, and cuts to maintenance support have happened for the same reasons that staff are suffering under huge workloads - the failed marketisation of the sector which has put profit above staff and student well-being.’