Four trade unions representing university workers as they fight for their first decent pay offer in over five years announced a third Britain-wide strike yesterday.

Members of support staff unions Unite and Unison, academics union UCU and Scottish education union EIS will walk out for a full day on February 6.

Classrooms and libraries at institutions across Britain will be left empty as workers including lecturers, administrators and cleaners stay away from campuses.

Unite national officer Mick McCartney blasted bosses who enjoyed an average £22,000 salary rise last year but insisted workers should settle for a paltry 1 per cent pay offer.

He said: "There is a strong stench of hypocrisy with the university bosses saying: 'Do as we say, not as we do.'

"More industrial action is on the cards in 2014 unless the employers get around the table to negotiate a fair and equitable settlement for those that keep Britain in the top 10 global university league table."

The announcement came as UCU members prepared to stage the second of three two-hour walkouts between 2pm and 4pm today.

Bosses at 31 universities have threatened to strip strikers of a full day's pay - a move criticised by human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.

Mr Tatchell told management at De Montford University, where he collected an honorary degree, to "think again."

"It is very unfair to dock staff a whole day's pay for a two-hour walkout," he said.

"This risks inflaming the situation and escalating the dispute, which is in no-one's interest."