Response to strike action

Professor Marshall said: “I want to thank all staff for the good nature and collegiality that was shown across the University yesterday. Inevitably there was some disruption to scheduled activities, but feedback from our students has been overwhelmingly positive about how the action and their engagement with learning was managed. They have been grateful that sessions led by staff not taking action have gone ahead as planned and the good nature of those exercising their right to strike on picket lines.

"The national dispute is complex with many conflicting views about the potential liabilities of the USS. The ability for all our staff to financially plan for their future is essential. Equally, the ability for the University to sustain its contributions to the pension scheme is critical for our future. It is also important that we recognise that not all universities are affected equally by the current pension dispute and I have personally spoken to people involved in the process to ensure that a sector-wide view is maintained in all deliberations.

"At a time of great challenges to the Higher Education sector, and with the recently announced review of fees and financial support, it is essential that we have a sector in which staff, students and employers can have certainty and confidence, and our financial sustainability is key to underpinning that.

"I hope that the current dispute can be resolved as quickly as possible and that we have an outcome for all parties that is fair and affordable.”