Strike action is planned to begin at the University of Otago this week as staff feel "backed into a corner" because of unsatisfactory pay.
To keep pay in step with inflation, an increase of 8% is sought by the Tertiary Education Union (TEU) as negotiations to renew university collective agreements take place nationwide.
Following a stop-work meeting two weeks ago, a ballot was held last week asking the university’s union members if strike action should be taken.
Branch organiser Philip Edwards said participants were "overwhelmingly" in favour.
He was unable to comment on when this would take place until the university had been notified, but said eight days of action was planned.
The decision had not been made lightly, he said.
"Members have felt that they've been backed into a corner over this.
"This branch has taken this decision on the basis of what’s been put to them from the employer."
A statement released by the TEU yesterday said ballots held at New Zealand’s other universities also supported strike action.
"As a result, plans are under way for union members to strike this week," the statement said.
TEU industrial assistant national secretary Irena Brorens said members were worried about the future of the sector.
"They don’t want to keep watching good colleagues leave tertiary education or move overseas for industries and international universities that value staff more fairly.
“The message we’ve heard loud and clear from our members up and down Aotearoa is they find their employers’ pay offers unacceptable, they are feeling undervalued and they are not willing to accept an effective pay cut."
University of Otago vice-chancellor Prof David Murdoch said yesterday the university had not received notification of strike action, but acknowledged it was a difficult time for staff.
The university’s financial environment was increasingly constrained and there were difficult decisions to make, he said.
"Universities are made up of staff members who come to work to do their absolute best every day, and I deeply value their contribution.
"We intend to keep negotiating with the union."
Strike action could disrupt lectures at all eight New Zealand universities during the next two weeks.
