THE University and College Union (UCU) began consulting its members today on further nationwide industrial action over massive cuts to pensions and real-terms pay.

The ballots, running at 149 universities until April 8, could pave the way for strikes and other industrial action to continue for the rest of the year, the union said.

It warned that any boycotts of marking and assessment could prevent hundreds of thousands of students from graduating this summer.

Higher education staff, who are up in arms at a 35 per cent cut in pensions and a decline in real-terms wage of more than 20 per cent since 2010, were originally balloted last October. Current mandates for action are set to expire in early May.

More than 50,000 workers at 68 institutions are set to begin five more days of strike action on Monday, with many having already walked out for up to 13 days since December 2021. 

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “Either vice-chancellors withdraw their devastating cuts to pensions and listen to reasonable staff demands for better pay and working conditions or they face further disruption.”

Bosses are well able meet staff demands as universities “generate income of tens of billions each year,” she added.