UK university staff vote for strike action over pay, conditions and pensions

Union calls on vice-chancellors to negotiate to prevent higher education being brought to complete standstill'

The entire UK higher education sector could be brought to a complete standstill" before Christmas after university staff voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action in two national ballots over pay, working conditions and pensions.

More than 70,000 staff at 150 universities could now strike, after turnout among members of the University and College Union (UCU) exceeded the 50% voting threshold in both ballots and more than eight in 10 of those who voted said yes to strike action.