TEACHING staff from Scotland’s universities joined UK-wide strike action yesterday over a pensions row.

Members of the University and College Union (UCU) have begun 14 days of action planned to take place over a period of weeks.

It has been called in response to proposals put forward by Universities UK for changes to the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS).

Employers argue the pension scheme is £6 billion in deficit, while the union says the proposals would leave a typical lecturer almost £10,000 a year worse off in retirement.

A recent ballot saw more than four-fifths of UCU members back strike action in a 63 per cent turnout in Scotland.

Visiting the picket line at Glasgow University, Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said: “I am happy to show my support and solidarity with university academic staff who are taking a stand against a proposed punitive cut in their pensions.”

Mary Senior of UCU Scotland said: “Nobody wants to take strike action, but staff across Scotland feel they have no choice. These hardline proposals would slash staff pensions and are simply uncalled for.”

Universities UK said it “remains at the negotiating table” but UCU has “refused to engage”.