More than 70,000 university staff members will go on strike later this month as unions describe the industrial action as the biggest strikes to hit UK universities in history.
Millions of higher education students could be hit by three days of walkouts scheduled by the University and College Union (UCU) in a row over pay, working conditions and pensions.
Over 150 UK universities will see staff take industrial action, according to UCU.
But when will the strikes take place and how will industrial action affect students? Here's everything you need to know.
When will the university strikes take place?
The UCU strikes are scheduled to take place on November 24, 25 and 30.
On November 23, union members will also begin industrial action short of strike action as they will be working to rule and refusing to cover absent staff members.
An overwhelming majority of UCU members voted in favour of strike action last month in two national ballots over pay and working conditions as well as pensions.
What has UCU said about the strikes?
Jo Grady, UCU general secretary, said: “Campuses across the UK are about to experience strike action on a scale never seen before.
“70,000 staff will walk out and make clear they refuse to accept falling pay, cuts to pensions and insecure employment.
“This is not a dispute about affordability – it is about choices. Vice-chancellors are choosing to pay themselves hundreds of thousands of pounds whilst forcing our members onto low paid and insecure contracts that leave some using foodbanks. They choose to hold billions in surpluses whilst slashing staff pensions.
“UCU members do not want to strike but are doing so to save the sector and win dignity at work. This dispute has the mass support of students because they know their learning conditions are our members’ working conditions.”
How will industrial action affect university students?
University students across the country could face cancelled lectures due to the industrial action which will take place later this month.
Universities UK (UUK), an organisation representing 140 institutions, told the BBC : "We appreciate this could be a difficult time for students, who may be anxious about possible disruption to their learning.
"Universities are well-prepared for industrial action and will put in place a series of measures to protect students' education, as well as other staff and the wider community."
Education minister Robert Halfon has also advised students to speak to their universities if they are worried about the upcoming strikes.
After the strikes were announced, the UCU said that disruption can be avoided if employers put forward better offers in terms of pay, pensions and working conditions.
However, the union warned that industrial action will escalate in early 2023 alongside a marking and assessment boycott if the dispute is not resolved.
