A RALLY has taken place in Chester City Centre in support of striking university staff.

Members of the University and College Union (UCU) have been taking part in three days of nationwide industrial action over pay, working conditions and pensions.

Across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, 58 universities and around a million students have been affected as in the region of 50,000 members of the union downed tools.

Over three days, with the action due to finish tomorrow (Friday), picket lines have been set up at campuses including at Chester University’s Parkgate Road entrance, with other industrial action taking place nationally included staff working to rule.

In the town centre, a rally of support convened at Chester Cross where they were addressed by Jo Grady, General Secretary of the UCU.

Speaking in advance of the rally, she said: “If university managers doubted the determination of staff to change the higher education sector for the better, the numbers of staff on strike today prove they are very sadly mistaken.

“Thousands of dedicated university staff and students are on picket lines, attending demos and marching to demand fair pay, decent pensions and improved working conditions.

“The level of action seen today is just the beginning and university managers now need to wake up and address the very modest demands of staff.

“Otherwise, the potential for more widespread and escalating industrial action in the new year becomes very real.”

But universities minister Michelle Donelan, said: “Students should be proud of the resilience they’ve shown throughout the pandemic.

“Further disruption from industrial action is the last thing students want or deserve, which is why today’s industrial action is so disappointing.”

She added: “Universities have a responsibility to minimise disruption to students from industrial action, and I’d encourage any students concerned about the impact on their education to get in touch with their provider.”