Universities could come to a ‘complete standstill’ as lecturers vote to strike

Lecturers have threatened to “bring every university to a complete standstill” after tens of thousands of union members voted to strike over pay and pensions. They know their power and are ready to take back what is theirs from a sector raking in tens of billions of pounds.” The latest vote comes as three teaching unions - the National Education Union, National Association of Head Teachers and the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers - prepare to formally ballot their members on national strike action over pay. It added: “This might include rescheduling any teaching which is missed, delivering course topics in a different way or considering whether partial refunds of tuition fees are appropriate.” 'Any increase in pay puts jobs at risk' A Universities UK spokesperson said that universities “will put in place a series of measures to minimise the impact of any industrial action on students, other staff and the wider community." Raj Jethwa, the chief executive of the Universities and Colleges Employers Association, said: “It is disappointing that the UCU’s HE members have voted in favour of industrial action, even though two-thirds of academics are not actually members of UCU or any union.” He added: "HE institutions want to do more for their valuable staff, but any increase in pay puts jobs at risk."