University staff have rejected a pensions deal that was struck by their union after weeks of strikes.

The response dashes hopes of an end to industrial action that has seen thousands of academics strike in protest at changes the University College Union (UCU) claims would cost them £10,000 a year after retirement.

The UCU agreed on Monday to an interim solution, in which both employers and employees would be required to pay higher pension contributions over a three-year transitional period.

But when it put the proposed deal to union members it was met with outrage.

Ulster, Cambridge, Sussex, SOAS, Goldsmiths, Bath, Manchester, Reading, Sheffield, Nottingham, Leicester, Warwick, Strathclyde, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Keele, Liverpool, Hull, York, LSHTM, Exeter, Stirling, UEA, QMUL, Bristol, Cardiff reject deal #NoCapitulation — Warwick UCU (@WarwickUCU) 13 March 2018

By Tuesday afternoon every UCU branch had rejected the agreement, more than 5,000 people signed an open letter, and picket lines which had been set up during the strike were packed with protesters.


The hashtag #NoCapitulation was trending on Twitter as staff members and students took to social media to voice their anger.

"The deal was a transitional agreement that didn't resolve the problem," Amelia Horgan, a postgraduate representative with the National Union of Students, told Sky News, arguing the agreement would have meant a "massive loss in staff pensions".

Image: The University and College Union claims the changes would cost staff £10,000 a year after retirement

A Universities UK spokesperson said it was "hugely disappointing" that the education of university students "will be further disrupted through continued strike action".

"We have engaged extensively with UCU negotiators to find a mutually acceptable way forward," it said. "The jointly developed proposal on the table, agreed at ACAS, addresses the priorities that UCU set out."

Staff at 64 universities in the UK have been intermittently striking since 22 February against proposals to change the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) from a "defined benefit" scheme, which gives workers a guaranteed income in retirement, to a "defined contribution" scheme, in which pensions are subject to fluctuations in the stock market.

Speaking on Tuesday, UCU general secretary Sally Hunt said branches had "made it clear" they had rejected the negotiated proposal.

"UCU's greatest strength is that we are run by and for our members and it is right that members always have the final say," she said.

She added that "detailed preparations" would be made as the strike continued into exam season, threatening serious disruption to students' lectures, seminars and assessments.

huge crowd outside UCU head office #NoCapitulation



do we want this deal! NO

do we want to stay on strike! YES

will we win! YES pic.twitter.com/po3rB3HInZ — Amelia Horgan (@joan0fsnark) 13 March 2018

While some students have objected to disruptions others have joined protests, drawing attention to issues such as increasing student fees and working conditions for staff.

"Students are already beginning to organise solidarity and support for striking staff because they understand that the working conditions of staff are their learning conditions, and because they believe in a better, non-marketised education," Ms Horgan said.