Lecturers across the Bradford district took to the picket line as part of a national strike in a row over changes to pensions and pay.

Members of the University and College Union formed pickets outside Bradford College buildings, the University of Bradford and Shipley College.

The union’s college members were striking against plans for greater pension contributions, an increase in the pension age and a 0.2 per pay offer, which they say represents a “massive cut” in the value of pay.

Laura Miles, national executive member of the UCU, who was protesting outside the McMillan Building, at Bradford College, said: “We are out for two reasons, one of which is the threat to our pensions under the Teachers’ Pensions Scheme, but also because of our pay dispute.”

She said proposals were for pensions to move from a final salary scheme to a career average and for the age of retirement to increase by five years to 65.

She said: “It is a lot quieter than usual – some students have had events today so they have gone in, but there are very few, the place has pretty much shut down.”

At midday, staff made their way to The Desmond Tutu House, at the University of Bradford, for a protest.

Lecturers at the university were again on strike yesterday, following protests on Tuesday over a national pensions row.

Dr Gary Slater, co-president of the University of Bradford UCU local association, said: “We are out taking action to defend jobs and defend education.

“The employers are refusing to talk to us about a framework to minimise any job losses in the sector after all the cuts we are suffering.”

Dr Slater said university lecturers had been offered a pay offer of 0.4 per cent, which had also been rejected by members.

A Bradford College spokesman said the college was doing its utmost to minimise disruption to students.

He said: “The college and the AoC is sympathetic to employee concerns relating to pensions but believes that industrial action at this stage is premature.

“It seems that the UCU is the only union not waiting for the outcome of the current discussion between the TUC and the Government.”

Professor Mark Cleary, vice-chancellor of the University of Bradford, said: “We are not aware of any disruption to student services as a result of staff going on strike.”

Shipley College principal Nav Chohan said: “As always, our number one priority is its students and the delivery of the highest standards of education to them – we will be endeavouring to ensure this service is not disrupted.”

  • Read the full story in Friday's T&A