Over 70,000 university staff at 150 universities could strike after the University and College Union members voted 'yes' to strike action in two ballots. Both ballots saw the union deliver large turnouts that exceeded the necessary threshold. The union now has authority to strike at practically every university and wants vice chancellors to enter negotiations immediately with improved offers to avoid the entire higher education sector being brought to a standstill. The union’s higher education committee meets on 3rd November to decide their next steps to pressure employers into meaningful negotiations. The union’s general secretary said 'University staff are crucial workers in communities up and down the UK. They are sending a clear message that they will not accept falling pay, insecure employment and attacks on pensions. They know their power and are ready to take back what is theirs from a sector raking in tens of billions of pounds.'