The University of Bolton is set to be hit by strike action next month as lecturers name the dates they will be walking out.

This comes after the University and College Union announced that 70,000 of its members working in 150 universities all over the country are set to take to picket lines over February and March.

The union has been involved in a long running dispute over pay, working conditions and pensions.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “There is a clear route out of these disputes, but at present vice-chancellors lack the political will to take it.

“They are failing staff who want to get back to work, and students who want to get on with their studies.  

The Bolton News: Around 70,000 UCU members are set to take part in strike actionAround 70,000 UCU members are set to take part in strike action (Image: PA)

“Students understand that staff working conditions are their learning conditions and we are proud to have their support in these disputes.

“A system that relies on low pay and the rampant use of insecure contracts is a system which fails everyone.”

Staff at the University of Bolton will be walking out on Wednesday February 1, Thursday and Friday February 9 and 10, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday February  14, 15, 16, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday February 21, 22 and 23 and Monday and Tuesday February 27 and 28.

They will then strike on Wednesday and Thursday March 1 and 2 before a break from action on the week beginning March 6.

UCU members will return to picket lines for strikes on Thursday and Friday March 16 and 17 and again on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday March 20, 21 and 22.

But action could be set to continue throughout the rest of the year beyond March.

Ms Grady said: “A resolution can be reached, but that is in the gift of university vice-chancellors who need to urgently reassess their priorities and deliver a deal that benefits staff and students.

“From February, our union will begin reballoting its members to allow action to continue through the rest of the academic year, should they continue to drag their feet.”

But the University of Bolton has moved to assure students that plans are in place to try and make sure their studies are not effected.

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.

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

“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.”