University staff across the UK are taking further strike action over proposed pay increases on Thursday 23 January.

Members of the University and College Union (UCU) will walk out for two hours in protest of a proposed 1% pay rise.

These include staff at academic institutions, such as: Oxford Brookes University; Nottingham Trent University; Dundee University; the University of Leicester and De Montfort University.

Further strike action is planned on Thursday 28 January and Monday 10 February.

Last year, university employees took two days of strike action, demanding a basic pay rise of at least 3.2% to match inflation.

Some universities have threatened to dock a full day’s pay from staff who strike, which has prompted the UCU to state it will launch a legal challenge against any that do so.

Sally Hunt, UCU general secretary, said: “Any kind of disruption is always a last resort but, after five years of pay suppression with members 13% worse off in real terms, we want a fair deal.

“Any university that tries to dock a full day’s pay for a two-hour walkout will face a legal challenge from us and an escalation of strike action, as well as risking considerable damage to [its] reputation for fair play.”