A strike rally will be held by University of Otago staff today, ahead of bargaining on Friday.
Members of the university branch of the Tertiary Education Union (TEU) planned to hold the rally last Thursday, but it was postponed because of snowy conditions.
Branch organiser Philip Edwards said participants would gather at the union lawn from 12.30pm before marching to the university clocktower building.
The union is pushing to keep pay in line with inflation, seeking an 8% pay rise as negotiations to renew university collective agreements take place nationwide.
The university’s undisclosed offer fell short of the mark for union members, who voted strongly in favour of taking strike action in a ballot held late last month.
Strike action began at universities nationwide last week, including the University of Otago, where staff went on strike for two hours on Thursday but were unable to gather to hold the rally.
Mr Edwards said another session of bargaining was set to take place on Friday.
"The wheels are definitely turning. It’s about what the result ends up looking like."
University of Otago vice-chancellor Prof David Murdoch acknowledged the current environment was difficult for staff.
"I’d like to also acknowledge our staff who will support students and their colleagues by helping out during the strike action in this crucial last week of lectures."
The university was committed to negotiations and would once again pay striking workers as a good-faith gesture, he said.
It welcomed the opportunity for bargaining on Friday.
