University staff will stage a one-day national strike on 31 October in a row over pay and conditions.
The strike is expected to affect the whole of the UK, since it is being taken by the three main university unions - the University and College Union (UCU), Unison and Unite.
The unions say their members will walk out unless employers improve a 1% pay offer. The strike is particularly notable since it is the first time all three unions have planned strike action together: it would effectively bring UK universities to a standstill.
While unions say the below-inflation pay offer represents another cut in real terms to their members' pay, the Independent reports that "pay and benefits for university leaders increased by £5,000 on average in 2011-12. The average salary for a vice-chancellor in the UK is now nearly £250,000."
"Staff have suffered year-on-year cuts in the value of their pay," said Michael MacNeil, head of higher education at UCU. "Quite simply, enough is enough. We urge the employers to reflect on the fact that they are about to face their first ever strike by three unions at the same time and come to the negotiating table to resolve this dispute.
"The suppression of academic pay is one of the most sustained pay cuts since the second world war and, while strike action is always a last resort, the fact that staff are prepared to take this step demonstrates just how angry they are."
Jon Richards, head of higher education at Unison said that his union's members are "upset and angry" and that "many are struggling to survive on low pay."
What do you think? Do you support the university staff strike?