LECTURERS and support staff who went on strike last Thursday had the backing of the Oxford University Students’ Union, its president said.

Tom Rutland said OUSU last Wednesday night voted in favour of backing the action by the University and College Union, Unite and Unison.

Members of the three unions walked out in protest at an offer of a one per cent pay rise.

Mr Rutland said: “'I supported the motion out of concern for the living standards of university staff, but also concern for our students whose lecturers have faced a real terms pay cut of 13 per cent since 2008.

“There is a threat to the student academic experience when steadily declining pay may impact on staff motivation.

“I attended the rally at Carfax Tower with other students in solidarity with our educational partners who have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with us against tuition fee increases and Government cuts.”

It comes after the Universities and Colleges Employers Association revealed that 89 per cent of institutions reported little or no impact due to the action.

A spokesman said: “While any industrial action is always disappointing, our institutions are pleased that the trade union members who took part did so in a considerate manner.

“We hope that the UCU, Unite and Unison will now reconsider the offer.”

s The University and College Union (UCU) yesterday wrote to UCEA, the university employers’ negotiating body, calling for talks to resolve the pay dispute. The union said it welcomed a call from the National Union of Students for a “speedy resolution” to the dispute.