Image copyright UCU

University bosses say they could reverse changes to lecturers' pensions if economic conditions improve.

As strike action continues for a second day at 57 universities, the employers' group, Universities UK, has written to pension scheme members offering to explore alternative ideas.

The University and College Union (UCU) says current plans will leave a typical lecturer £10,000 a year worse off.

About 90,000 students have now signed petitions asking for fee refunds.

Under the existing plans, the Universities Superannuation Scheme will change from a defined benefit scheme, giving members a guaranteed income in retirement, to a defined contribution scheme, where pensions are subject to changes in the stock market.

The employers say changes to the pension are needed because the scheme has a deficit of more than £6bn, but the union disputes the figure, saying the evaluation method used was "recklessly prudent".

However, in an open letter to scheme members, UUK suggests the change might not need to be permanent.

"We wanted to make it clear that we have never refused to continue to try to find an affordable, mutually acceptable solution," says the letter, signed by Prof Dame Janet Beer, UUK's president, along with its chief executive, Alistair Jarvis.

"We are open to changing the scheme again to reintroduce defined benefits if economic and funding conditions improve," it continues.

The letter invites members of the scheme to put forward "any proposals you feel may not have been sufficiently considered".

In response, Sally Hunt, UCU general secretary, said: "If they want to talk to us without preconditions, as the universities minister has suggested, then let's do it today. The sector is suffering from a serious image problem at the moment and staff and students deserve much better from their leaders than spin and subterfuge."

Tuesday talks

The two sides are due to hold talks on Tuesday after Universities UK issued an invitation which the union accepted.

In a statement, UUK said: "It is of paramount importance that both sides make every effort to meet, despite the ongoing industrial action, to stop any impact and disruption to students."

However, the statement also said "talks about the future of the scheme would not reopen the Joint Negotiating Committee decision made on 23 January" to press ahead with the changes.

The union warned that the decision in question was the "very reason for the strike".

On Thursday, England's Universities Minister Sam Gyimah called for for talks without preconditions.

"We hope UUK will reconsider his words before we meet on Tuesday," said Ms Hunt.

In the first wave of a month-long programme of strikes, lecturers walked out at 57 universities on Thursday and Friday.

They will be joined by staff at four more institutions on a three-day strike, starting on Monday.

In weeks three and four of the action, staff will be on strike at a total of 64 universities.