Scotland’s universities are to be hit by unprecedented strike action unless a dispute over pensions is settled, union leaders said.
The University and College Union (UCU) has announced plans for 14 days of action over February and March, culminating in a week long walk out by staff.
Students at nine institutions across Scotland will be affected by the action, including at the universities of Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and St Andrews.
UCU general secretary Sally Hunt said: “Staff who have delivered the international excellence principals use to justify their own lavish pay and perks are understandably angry at efforts to slash their pensions.
“They feel let down by leaders who seem to care more about defending their own perks than the rights of their staff.
“Strike action on this scale has not been seen before on Scottish or UK campuses, but universities need to know the full scale of the disruption they will be hit with if they refuse to sort this mess out.”
The UCU announced its members will strike on Thursday February 22 and Friday February 23, as well as over Monday February 26 to February 28.
Action is also planned on Monday March 5 through to Thursday March 8, followed by a five day long walk out commencing on Monday March 12 and ending on Friday March 16.
Strike dates were announced after talks between the union the employers’ representative Universities UK (UUK) broke down.
The universities in Scotland that will be affected are: The University of Aberdeen, the University of Dundee, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Glasgow, Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, St Andrews University, the University of Stirling, the University of Strathclyde, and the University of Scottish Association for Marine Science at the University of the Highlands and Islands.