Strathclyde University Workers Begin Two-Week Strike
Workers at the University of Strathclyde have begun a two-week strike from Monday in a dispute over pensions.
The walkout, organised by the Unite union, will see cleaners, plumbers, security staff and technicians take industrial action over changes to their pension scheme.
It’s proposed that workers switch from the Strathclyde Pension Fund to the Universities Superannuation Scheme, which Unite says would leave workers financially worse off. While members of Unison have accepted the proposal, Unite members overwhelmingly rejected the plans last week.
Picket lines will be in place throughout the strike, with a rally planned at Rottenrow Hill building on Friday morning.
However, there is some hope that the issue can be resolved on Wednesday, when the matter reaches court.
A Unite delegate, Stewart Forrester, told The Glasgow Standard, that the university’s pension fund raised £29 billion profit this year as he protested the decision.
He shared his fears of what could follow Strathclyde’s decision, “If the university gets away with this, what’s to stop other councils and so on following suit? Before you know it, there will be loads of people losing money because others just want their hands on the money.”
A Strathclyde University spokesperson said, “While we are disappointed Unite members have chosen to take strike action, the university will take all necessary steps to ensure this action has minimal impact on our students, staff and operations.”
