STAFF at the University of Winchester will be striking throughout the exam period, unless the vice chancellor agrees to increase their pay.

The university branch of the University and College Union (UCU) was hopeful that management would withdraw its threat to deduct 100 per cent of pay for up to two months from staff taking part in the marking boycott.

The pay dispute has affected all universities across the UK but 92 per cent of institutions have said they won't enforce full pay cuts.

Following a meeting on Friday, May 19, vice chancellor Sarah Greer has decided to push ahead with cutting pay from staff using industrial action.

READ MORE: University of Winchester boss shamed for pay cuts to boycotting staff

In response, union members will be taking to the picket line on Wednesday, May 24. The union has also proposed further strikes on May 25, 30, and 31 and for most of June unless the vice chancellor changes her stance.

Winchester UCU officer, Gordon McKelvie, said: “Everybody was so hopeful that our managers would see sense. But their refusal to do so has been a real shock and disappointment to our members. They and their families keep asking us, how it is even legal for the university to take all our pay for withdrawing just a few hours of our labour?

“This has left us with no option but to go on strike. Winchester is fast becoming a pariah in the sector for its hardline approach. The whole situation is avoidable and many other universities have shown that there is no justification for deductions on this scale.”

A University of Winchester spokesperson said: “The marking and assessment boycott is part of a national dispute, and the University is following published and agreed national guidance relating to this type of strike action. Only a small number of union members at Winchester engage in strike action. Our priority is to ensure students' work is marked and they are able to graduate or move to their next year of study."