A DISPUTE over wages, jobs and conditions has hit the University of Worcester as a picket line formed outside St John's campus.

Picket lines have been mounted outside schools, universities and Royal Mail centres as tens of thousands of workers went on strike in worsening disputes over pay, jobs and conditions.

Union leaders said walkouts were being solidly supported amid a bitter war of words in the industrial unrest sweeping the country.

Dr Dan Eastough, UCU Worcester Branch Secretary, said that he was "elated" with the turnout for today's strike action

He said: "I was elated to see such a strong turn-out today. In the past, we have received what felt like very threatening and borderline bullying from management when it came to proposed strike action.

"We had at least one representative from every school at the University today which was brilliant, and we intend to continue tomorrow at City Campus and next Wednesday at Severn Campus."

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A spokesperson for the University of Worcester that despite the strike action "no significant disruption" was caused to the University today.

They said: "This is a national dispute and the result of a ballot in which just 30,000 of nearly 250,000 people eligible to be members of the Universities and Colleges Union in higher education voted for strike action over pay and such issues as fair gender pay.

"At Worcester, in the latest local ballot last spring, just 30 people voted for strike action out more than 600 people eligible for membership – this is just one in 20.

"In fact, there were 3 ballots at Worcester last year for strike action and none got near the threshold for industrial action to be lawful.

"The University is very disappointed that a small minority of UCU members locally have decided to join in this national dispute – especially as when it comes to ending discrimination against women and fair gender pay which is one of the key demands of the strikers.  

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"The University’s median gender pay gap over the last 3 years has been 0%, 0% and -1%.

The University enjoys excellent relations with the overwhelming majority of staff colleagues working at all levels in the University and does not regard itself as being in dispute with any group of staff.”