10 strike days begin this week at Northumbria University over pension "robbery"

Staff will down tools on: 

• Week One: Thursday 12 and Friday 13 February 
• Week Two: Tuesday 17, Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 February 
• Week Three: Monday 2, Tuesday 3, Wednesday 4, Thursday 5 and Friday 6 March 

Staff will be on picket lines each strike day will be across university campuses from 9am and will hold a rally each day at 11am outside the Sutherland Building.  

The action comes after 80% of UCU members who voted backed striking, on a turnout of 60%.  

The dispute is over management's decision to force staff out of the post-92 university standard pension, the Teacher's Pension Scheme, by freezing the pay of any staff member who tries to stay in it.  

The university claims it wants to make the cut to save £11m which it can then invest in other projects but UCU has put forward counter proposals to help reduce expenditure and resolve the dispute. 

So far, 28 MPs have signed a motion condemning the university's actions, North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and local councillors have written to management over the pension attack, and a petition calling on the institution to think again has gained over 1,000 signatures.  

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: 'Northumbria University will be hit with strike action unless management stops its pension grab. 

'It is inexcusable that staff have been told their pay will be held down indefinitely unless they agree to leave their preferred pension scheme. The university now needs to look at our reasonable proposals and work with us to avoid strike action.'