Pensions rally held by uni staff

Staff planned pickets at the university's entrances

Support staff from the University of Sussex in Brighton have held a rally as part of a fourth day of strike action in a dispute over their pension scheme.

The university and the trade union Unite failed to agree on changes to the pension scheme for new support staff.

The university has said pension changes were needed to avoid "huge liabilities" and to ensure pensions were affordable.

Protesters lobbied the University Council meeting at the Thistle Hotel and held a rally at Fishmarket Hard.

A petition with 3,000 signatures was handed to the council, asking it to defer a decision until the Universities and Colleges Employers Association Pensions Forum publishes its pensions report in 2009.

'Large deficit'

A spokesperson from the university said its pension scheme had a "large deficit" that could lead to liabilities of nearly £500m by 2038.

A statement from the university said: "We need to make sure provision is affordable and sustainable.

"It would be irresponsible not to take action now to ensure pension provision is affordable and sustainable, and we are charged by our governing body with finding a long-term and affordable solution."

The 45% of staff who have no employee pension because they cannot afford the local USPAS scheme would benefit from the more flexible scheme proposed, it added.

Tom Armour, Unite branch chairman, said: "We have many members who will suffer if the University Council decides to exclude new members.

"Other options should be explored to help our members. For instance staff could be allowed to join the National Universities Superannuation Scheme, which is offered to the better paid staff on campus."

Three previous days of strike action have been held since October.