University lecturers went on strike in protest at their salaries and a proposed new pay framework.

Members of the Association of University Teachers (AUT), some of whom are pictured above, staged a demonstration on February 24 outside Oxford University's offices in Wellington Square and outside the town hall in St Aldate's, as part of a national demonstration.

Chief among their concerns are low pay and proposals by universities to break the link between the pay of academics, such as lecturers, and academic-related staff, such as librarians and computer technicians.

Andy Gosler, 46, a researcher and lecturer at Oxford University's zoology department, said: "Academic pay is far too low when compared with other professions.

"The main issue for me is to support academic and academic-related salaries. A very large proportion of teaching is done by academic-related staff who have similar qualifications to academic staff, so they should be on the same pay scale."

Prof Sarah Randolph, 54, who also works at the zoology department, said: "I think what is being set in motion for future generations of teachers is totally destructive and detrimental for staff and students alike.

"I am particularly opposed to the plans to introduce regional weighting in salaries. People should get paid for what they do, not where they do it."

The strike affected Oxford University, which has 659 employees belonging to the AUT, more than Oxford Brookes University, which employs relatively few members.

A spokesman for Oxford University said: "There has been minimal disruption and a small number of classes have been postponed. The university respects the right of the individual to hold demonstrations."

The strike will continue on February 26, when the union's members will be joined by Brookes students protesting against top-up fees.

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