ACADEMICS and support staff at the University of Oxford manned a picket line yesterday to protest over changes to their pensions.
Members of the University and College Union (UCU) at 47 universities have embarked on a rolling programme of strikes to try to force employers to re-enter negotiations.
They are unhappy about changes to the Universities Superannuation Scheme, which would see new staff unable to join the final salary pension scheme.
Dr Wylie Horn, of the union’s Oxford branch, said: “We had good numbers on the picket line outside the university offices.
“The union’s position is that we want to return to negotiations. We do not want to be out on strike, but this is an action of last resort because the employers have not shifted their position.”
The striking staff will return to work today, before re-joining the picket lines tomorrow for a national day of action.
Oxford University’s term ended last Friday.
The university said it did not know how many members of staff had joined the strike, outside its Wellington Square offices, but did not anticipate any significant disruptions.
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