STAFF at the University of Bradford are among those who have today begun an eight-day strike in rows over pay, conditions and pension. 

This picture was taken on the picket line by Neil Terry.

A spokesperson for the university said of 121 staff members, out of 1,408, took part in the strike action today.

"The impact has been minimal with the vast majority of teaching covered," they said.

Up to 43,000 members of the University and College Union (UCU) at 60 UK institutions are taking part in walk-outs in an action the union has said will affect about a million students in the run-up to the Christmas break.

Those going on strike include lecturers, student support services staff, admissions tutors, librarians, technicians and administrators.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady told the PA news agency that further industrial action could follow in the new year if agreements are not reached in the disputes.

University leaders have said they will try to lessen the impact of the action and insist they want to work with the union to reach an agreement.

Picket lines are being mounted at campuses across the country, protests held and other forms of industrial action launched, including not covering for absent colleagues and refusing to reschedule lectures lost to strike action.

UCU said there had been "strong shows of support" for strikes at the universities involved, which it argued "sent a clear message that staff would not settle for pay cuts, increased pension costs or deteriorating conditions".

The union said it is consulting with its branches at other universities about ballots to join further action, adding that 3,500 workers have joined UCU in the three weeks since this round of strikes was announced.

Ms Grady told PA: "We have told members they need to be prepared to take eight days of action and they are prepared to take eight days of action.

"It is sad for university staff to be back here, they don't take strike action lightly - they don't get paid and they don't get to do the jobs they love."

Ms Grady added: "If we don't get a long-term sustainable settlement, then we will be in a position where we will be considering more action."

UCU has said staff have reached "breaking point" over issues including workloads, real-terms cuts in pay, a 15% gender pay gap and changes to the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), which the union says will leave members paying in more and receiving less in retirement.

The union has estimated that the pension changes could leave lecturers around £240,000 worse off in retirement over their career, and up to £730,000 for professors.

A spokesman for USS employers said: "It's important to remember that members voting 'yes' to strike action over pensions account for less than 10% of the scheme's eligible membership.

"Universities are doing everything they can to ensure that students do not lose out. Online learning materials, libraries and student support services will remain available throughout this period to support students' independent study.

"Today we are reiterating our call to the union to focus its efforts on continuing talks to reach a joint and fair solution."

Carol Costello, a spokeswoman for the employers' side, said: "We will do all we can to ensure the strike does not impact badly on students and staff.

"The action and claims of the UCU that employers are forcing them into this cannot go unchallenged."

The union was insisting that employers should pay the full cost of an increase in pension contributions and had not been prepared to compromise, she said.

"It has been a complete red line for them and has made negotiating impossible.

"Employers are prepared to invest in our people, but unaffordable sums of money would have to be diverted from other budgets unless individual members make a fair contribution."

This could include cuts to courses and larger class sizes, which would have a damaging impact on students, she said.

University leaders have written to the union outlining their commitment to deliver long-term reform of the USS.

The strikes will take place on five days this week, and again for three days from December 2.

A spokesperson for the University said: "Some University of Bradford staff are taking strike action and action short of a strike from Monday.

"The action is part of a national dispute affecting 60 institutions.

"Members of the University and College Union UCU are striking over changes to the national Higher Education pension scheme (USS) and the 2019/20 national pay award. The University remains hopeful that the national dispute on these issues can be resolved as soon as possible.

"The University is doing everything it can to ensure that this has minimal impact on students and expect the majority of teaching activity during this action to take place as normal.

"The dates of the strike action are: November 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and December 2, 3, 4 and the action short of a strike (ASOS) is intended to be continuous, which means it can take place throughout the period of 25 November 2019 to no later than 29 April 2020.  Action short of a strike involves staff:

-Only undertaking duties specified in their contracts of employment;

-not covering for absent colleagues;

-not rescheduling lectures or classes cancelled due to strike action;

-not sharing materials relating to lectures or classes cancelled due to strike action;

-and not undertaking any voluntary activities.

"During this period, graduation, examinations, assessments and all learning and student support services, including the library, will continue to operate as normal.

"The University is working closely with the Students’ Union to advise and support students."