Dozens of university and college instructors in Britain plan to stage a strike to voice their protests at pension reforms and education cuts.
University and College Union (UCU) announced a walkout scheduled for March 24. the union members are to join the walkout along with 63 other universities.
According to the union, its members oppose the planned cuts and pension reforms. UCU members believe the changes applied by the government will reduce their benefits and add to the costs.
The university Employers Pension Forum also criticized the changes by the government and joined the Teachers' Pensions Scheme (TPS) in the walkout on the next Thursday.
The first strike is to be held on March 17 in Scotland, the second is to be on March 21 in Northern Ireland and the third strike is due on March 24.
"Staff are sick to the back teeth of being told that hard-won pensions benefits need to be cut to pay for an economic crisis created by others," UCU Secretary General Sally Hunt said.
"As things stand, new starters in the [Universities Superannuation Scheme] USS scheme will see more than one-third wiped off their annual pension entitlement, while in TPS the average lecturer faces a £90 increase in costs per month in exchange for reduced benefits," Hunt added.
Universities and colleges are expected to be the victim of budget cuts and pension reforms following the cost-saving measures.
"We are very disappointed that the UCU has decided to take strike action over unspecified potential changes to the TPS and the moderate package of reforms to the USS," the Employers Pension Forum spokesperson said.
"At present it would seem that the UCU is the only trade union not awaiting the outcome of the current discussions between [Trades Union Congress] TUC and the government relating to public sector pension schemes."
University and College Union (UCU) announced a walkout scheduled for March 24. the union members are to join the walkout along with 63 other universities.
According to the union, its members oppose the planned cuts and pension reforms. UCU members believe the changes applied by the government will reduce their benefits and add to the costs.
The university Employers Pension Forum also criticized the changes by the government and joined the Teachers' Pensions Scheme (TPS) in the walkout on the next Thursday.
The first strike is to be held on March 17 in Scotland, the second is to be on March 21 in Northern Ireland and the third strike is due on March 24.
"Staff are sick to the back teeth of being told that hard-won pensions benefits need to be cut to pay for an economic crisis created by others," UCU Secretary General Sally Hunt said.
"As things stand, new starters in the [Universities Superannuation Scheme] USS scheme will see more than one-third wiped off their annual pension entitlement, while in TPS the average lecturer faces a £90 increase in costs per month in exchange for reduced benefits," Hunt added.
Universities and colleges are expected to be the victim of budget cuts and pension reforms following the cost-saving measures.
"We are very disappointed that the UCU has decided to take strike action over unspecified potential changes to the TPS and the moderate package of reforms to the USS," the Employers Pension Forum spokesperson said.
"At present it would seem that the UCU is the only trade union not awaiting the outcome of the current discussions between [Trades Union Congress] TUC and the government relating to public sector pension schemes."
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