City lecturers to walk out

LECTURERS at two of the city's universities are set to join in a nationwide strike which will affect more than 100,000 students.

The University and College Union (UCU) said staff at Edinburgh University and Heriot-Watt University would take part in two one-day strikes planned for March 17 and 24.

The industrial action is in protest at proposals to reduce pension benefits, which the union claims will be introduced on April 1.

UCU general secretary Sally Hunt said: "University staff really value their pension rights and if a settlement is not reached, they are prepared to strike to defend their pensions."