UP TO 1,000 members of staff at the University of Southampton could go on strike as part of a row over pensions.

The action by academics and senior staff could lead to major disruption as it could include a marking boycott and refusal to set exams.

University and College Union (UCU) members were balloted in 69 UK universities over proposals to change pensions.

The union says proposals to change the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), which covers some of the UK's oldest universities, would leave members worse-off with pensions cut by up 27 per cent.

The proposed pension changes were put forward by Universities UK, which says they are necessary to deal with the USS's huge £8billion deficit.

Forty five per cent of UCU members across the country voted, with 78 per cent of them who voted opting for strike action and 87 per cent for action short of a strike.

As well as striking the industrial action could include a marking boycott and a refusal to set exams, which would stop students being set coursework or receiving formal marks and feedback.

Crunch talks between the union and employers are schedule for Wednesday, and if they fail to reach an agreement the union will meet on Friday to discuss what form the action will take.

UCU regional organiser Moray McAuley said: “What we really want is employers to take notice of how concerned we are and negotiate with us.

“We are hoping we will get something out of Wednesday's meeting and we will consider what action we will take.

“We have a significant level of support among staff at the University of Southampton.”

UCU general secretary Sally Hunt added: “UCU members at universities across the UK have made it quite clear today that they reject the radical changes being proposed for their pensions. We will go into talks on Wednesday hopeful that we can resolve the current impasse.

“However, we will go into that meeting with a serious mandate from members that they need to see real improvements. If the employers do not address our concerns then we will meet on Friday to determine what forms of disruptive action we take and when they would start.”