The University of Bolton promises that there will be no impact on students amid potential strike action next month.

The University and College Union (UCU) announced on Tuesday, January 17, that more than 70,000 staff at 150 universities will take industrial action on Wednesday, February 1.

And a further 17 days of strike action is due to take place over February and March, the precise dates of which are to be announced by the union next week.

The UCU is in dispute with those universities over the issues of pay, pensions, and working conditions.

It is demanding a meaningful pay rise to deal with the cost-of-living crisis as well as action to end the use of insecure contracts.

In the pension dispute, UCU is demanding employers revoke the cuts and restore benefits.

READ MORE: University of Bolton number 1 for student satisfaction

The package of cuts made last year, the UCU says, will see the average member lose 35 per cent from their guaranteed future retirement income.

For those at the beginning of their careers, the losses could be in the hundreds of thousands of pounds.

The union says “the clock is ticking” for university bosses to make staff a serious offer and avoid disruption.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “Whilst the cost-of-living crisis rages, university vice-chancellors are dragging their feet and refusing to use the vast wealth in the sector to address over a decade of falling pay, rampant casualisation and massive pension cuts.”

But the University of Bolton says that strike action will create “no detriment to our students”.

READ MORE: 70,000 university workers to strike in row over pay, conditions and pensions

A university spokesperson said: “The university is aware that UCU members nationally have balloted in favour of industrial action in universities across the UK.

“The university has very professional and committed staff and we have good employee relations, both directly with our staff and by working in partnership with its recognised trade unions.

“The university also recognises that this is a national dispute, not a local one, about pay which is negotiated nationally, not locally.

READ MORE: Rent-a-room scheme appeal by University of Bolton

“In such circumstances there may be occasions where disputes arise beyond the university’s control which may result in any of its recognised trade unions exercising their rights to engage in industrial action.

“The university has plans in place to ensure that there will be no detriment to our students should industrial action take place on a limited scale next month as indicated by the national union.”

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at lewis.finney@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @lewisfinney18.