Strathclyde University staff announce two-week strike over pension fund dispute

Support staff at a Scottish university are set to strike for two weeks in response to potential pension changes, a union has said.

Unite Scotland said that 94% of union members balloted at the University of Strathclyde had backed industrial action earlier this month.

It has now been confirmed that the strike will begin on March 10 and last two weeks until March 23.

Employees represented by Unite include facilities workers such as technicians, cleaners and security.

They also include maintenance workers – including plumbers, joiners and electricians – and all backed industrial action.

The workers are part of the Strathclyde Pension Fund (SPF). They say they are at risk of losing thousands of pounds each year, accusing their employer of moving them to a worse-off pension scheme.

Workers say the university is doing so to access a pension surplus of almost £100m.

Some 94% of workers in an industrial action ballot supported strike action despite a “cynical” last-minute attempt by the university on the eve of the ballot result to amend its initial pension proposals without consulting the union.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite members at Strathclyde University are set for strike action because their employer is attempting a shameful cash grab on their pensions. The university have left our members with no option but to take this action because they are furious that their pension pots are at risk.”

“Unite will back our members 100% as the fight to protect their pensions intensifies in the coming weeks.”

Alison MacLean, Unite regional coordinating officer, said: “Strathclyde University is attempting to ignore Unite by ramming through these punitive pension proposals. There has been radio silence from the university despite our offer to negotiate a resolution to this dispute.”

“The Scottish Government also have a responsibility because Strathclyde University receives significant public money, yet they are attempting to ride roughshod over workers’ rights and rip up the Fair Work principles.

“The university has a pension surplus of £100m, and we have offered to explore ways of improving its short-term financial position. It comes as no surprise that management is refusing to do this because it means tackling exorbitant executive pay.”

A spokesperson for the University of Strathclyde said: “Having engaged in extensive consultation over many months, we are disappointed with the trade union’s decision to ask its members to undertake strike action.

“We will now take all necessary steps to mitigate the disruption that strike action may have on our students and their studies.

“Following further consultation with our staff, we have recently shared an enhanced pension proposal. The University remains committed to providing an excellent pension provision to its staff. A decision regarding the proposed change of pension provider has not yet been made.”