Staff at the University of Bradford were today starting a two-day strike over a national pensions row.

It will be the first time in five years that students will be affected by UK-wide action.

Members of the University and College Union (UCU) are protesting against changes to the Universities Superannuation Scheme pension fund.

UCU members were due to be on the picket line outside the entrance to the Richmond Building on Great Horton Road from 8am.

Union officials said they shared students’ frustrations that the employers were refusing to come back to the negotiating table.

The National Union of Students has written to the employers urging them to join UCU for talks and to try to avoid strike action. Bradford is one of 47 English universities where industrial action is taking place.

UCU general secretary Sally Hunt said: “University staff really value their pension rights and have made it clear from the start of this dispute that if the employers were not prepared to negotiate then we would be left with little option but to take strike action.

“Strike action is always a last resort and we have always wanted to meet the employers to avoid widespread disruptions.”