Northumbria University staff vote for strike action in pay and pensions row

The decision follows a ballot in which 80% of participating staff backed strike action, on a turnout of 60%. 

University management wants to save money by moving staff onto the Universities Superannuation Scheme, which could leave them significantly worse off. Those who refuse the transfer will have their pay frozen, effectively punishing employees who wish to remain in TPS and locking them into years of real terms pay cuts. 

Northumbria wants to save £11 million through these cuts which UCU says amount to an attack on long-term retirement security. 

The dispute comes amid growing national concern about universities such as Northumbria and Solent seeking to cut pension costs at the expense of their staff.  

A petition calling on the university to rethink its plans has reached over 1000 signatures, and MPs have raised concerns and tabled a motion in Parliament. Public figures including the North East Mayor and local councillors wrote to the university recently offering support to staff and calling on the university to rethink its plans. 

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: 'Taking strike action is a last resort for our members but they are rightly furious about this attack on their retirement security.  Northumbria University staff work hard, achieve great things for students and the wider community and deserve better than this.    

'Staff should not have to choose between their pay or pension. Management needs to rethink its plans and work with us to find a solution that avoids reputational damage and sustained, widespread disruption in every aspect of its activities, from teaching to research.'