Universities hit by strike

THOUSANDS of students were today set to be affected by strike action as university staff walked out in a row over pensions.

By The Newsroom

Published 16th Mar 2011, 11:02 BST

Updated 17th Mar 2011, 10:28 BST

Members of the University and College Union (UCU) at Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee, Strathclyde and St Andrews universities protested against proposed changes to their pension schemes.

The union said the changes would reduce pension benefits and increase costs.

A second day of action - part of a UK-wide strike - is planned for March 24 if the dispute has not been resolved.