Strike over university's pension

The union said the strike at the university would last until Saturday

Staff at the University of Sussex have gone on strike following a dispute over pension provision.

Members of Unite started demonstrating at the main entrance to the campus near Brighton at 0800 BST.

The industrial action follows an announcement that the university intends to close its pension scheme to new starters.

A spokesman for the university said if it did not make changes it would be left with huge liabilities.

Members of Unite said the strike would continue until Saturday.

It would be irresponsible not to take action now to ensure pensions are affordable and sustainable University of Sussex spokesman

The strike is expected to cause disruption to the university's laboratories.

Unite national officer, Mike Robinson, said: "The pensions of the management at Sussex are safe but the university is trying to force detrimental changes on other staff to create a three-tier workforce.

"The university's senior executives may have read George Orwell's Animal Farm that claimed some are more equal than others.

"Our members are determined to defend new starters' rights to a decent pension and to stop the erosion of their existing scheme."

'Protect provision'

A spokesman for the University of Sussex said: "We regret that Unite have withdrawn from discussions and that 29 members of Unite have now voted in favour of strike action. We employ over 2,500 staff on campus.

"It would be irresponsible not to take action now to ensure pensions are affordable and sustainable.

"Leaving the scheme unchanged and open for future staff leads to projected liabilities of nearly £500m by 2030."

He added: "The University is acting responsibly to protect local pension provision at Sussex. We need to make sure provision is affordable and sustainable."