Uni Workers Go On Strike Over Pay

University lectures across Scotland were cancelled today as staff staged a strike over pay.

Picket lines formed outside university buildings in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee in protest at a 1% pay offer for lecturers and administrative workers. 

The University and College Union (UCU) said employees have faced a ``real-terms pay cut'' of 13% since 2008. Rallies were also planned later in the day. 

Mary Senior, UCU's Scottish official, said there had been a good turn-out at the picket line at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh. 

She said: ``We're very upbeat, we've been explaining to people why we are out today and people have been signing our petition. 

``Lectures have been cancelled and the library in Glasgow is closed, so the action is having an effect. 

``We want the employers to come back to the negotiating table and make a better offer.'' Unison and Unite members were also taking part in today's strike, said to be the first walk-out over pay at universities in seven years. 

Pickets were planned outside Old College, Edinburgh University and at Glasgow University's main gate on University Avenue. Protests were also organised at Stirling, Aberdeen, St Andrews and Dundee. 

Ms Senior said: ``This year's miserly 1% pay offer, at a time of rising bills and increased pension contributions, was the straw that broke the camel's back. ``Staff love their jobs, but their goodwill cannot continue to be taken for granted.''