STUDENTS supported staff in their protests at Sussex University yesterday as they gathered to fight for change.

People gathered to fight proposed changes to the Universities Superannuation Scheme’s pension scheme.

This was the first of a series of strike days planned by universities across the country in the coming weeks.

These changes would mean lecturers lose £10,000 a year when they retire.

The strikes are an attempt to persuade vice chancellor,Adam Tickell to return to negotiations with University UK to stop the changes.

Mr Tickell said: “I have not met a single person who relishes the prospect of strikes and I sympathise with the hugely difficult decisions that all staff are having to make regarding this dispute.”

Protesters at Sussex University are part of 64 other universities across the country protesting.

More than 16,000 students at the university have been affected by the strikes.

More than 200 students were part of the strike yesterday and they were joined by students from Brighton University.

Students crashed lectures and blocked the routes of public transport leading in to the campus. This meant buses were unable to run to the campus.

Several students had placards and were filmed singing “Hey Tickell, say no to the pension cuts” to the tune of the song Hey Baby.

Student Ellen Musgrove, 25, originally from Lowestoft. said: “Missing some lectures this year is a small price to pay in the long run, if it means this strike makes headway in returning education to the air and accessible right it should be.”

“I came out on the pickets today because this strike isn’t just about lecturers’ pensions.

“It’s about a broader struggle against the marketisation of higher education.”

Miss Musgrove is currently on temporary withdrawal from her course due to

illness and she is protesting because of the extra help she has been given by her lecturers.

Regional University and College Union officer Mike Moran organised the strikes at Sussex University.

He said: “Nobody wants to take strike action, but staff at Sussex feel they have no choice.”

“It is staggering that the universities have refused to engage with the union and a real insult to staff and to students.

“We hope students will continue to put pressure on the vice-chancellors to get their reps back round the negotiating table.”