LECTURERS at the north's universities are to go on strike for two days next week as part of a pay dispute.
Staff who are members of the University and College Union are to strike on May 25 and 26.
Lecturers at Queen's University, Stranmillis and St Mary’s university colleges, the Open University and Ulster University will take part in the industrial action.
The union has expressed anger that academics, researchers and professional support staff have been offered a 1.1 per cent pay rise, claiming that staff have suffered a real term pay cut of 14.5 per cent since 2009.
"The squeeze on staff salaries comes at a time when pay and benefits for university leaders have increased, on average, by 3 per cent, with the average pay and pension package for vice-chancellors standing at over £270,000, the union said.
The union has advised members not to teach or help students over the two days.
Although teaching has finished for the year in some university courses, it is understood that marking and exams may be affected by the action.
