Staff at the University of Hertfordshire have walked out today (Thursday) in a strike calling for “fair pay in higher education”.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: The picket line outside The University of HertfordshireThe picket line outside The University of Hertfordshire (Image: Archant)

The UCU, Unison and Unite voted for the walkout over pay, and a picket line is currently in place outside the Hatfield-based uni.

The unions claim the university, along with others in the Eastern region will be “brought to a standstill”.

Unison, Eastern region regional secretary, Glyn Hawker, said: “Strike action is always a last resort in any dispute, but our members have simply had enough and this one per cent pay offer is just not good enough.”

“The work of support staff is key to the smooth running of universities and they play a valuable, much needed role in supporting both students and their academic colleagues.”

A university spokeswoman said: “The University of Hertfordshire regrets that the unions have chosen to take this course of action.

“We believe the majority of staff understand the reality of the current economic environment where there is uncertainty in higher education funding and pay restraint across many other sectors.”

She added: “Our staff are committed to the experience of our students and therefore we hope that any action will have minimal impact on their studies.”