UNIVERSITY staff will go on strike for 14 days to demand better pay and conditions.

Members of the University and College Union will down tools in February and March at the University of Sussex and the University of Brighton.

Previously staff walked out for eight days last year for the same reasons.

Union general secretary Jo Grady warned strikes would continue if universities did not deal with rising pensions costs and address problems with pay and conditions.

“We have been clear from the outset that we would take serious and sustained industrial action if that was what was needed,” she said.

“As well as the strikes next month, we are going to ballot members to ensure that we have a fresh mandate for further action to cover the rest of the academic year if these disputes are not resolved.

“We have seen more members back strikes since the winter walkouts.”

Staff at both Brighton universities will strike on February 20, 21, 24, 25, and 26.

They will also down tools on March 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13.

As well as strike days, union members will work strictly to contract, refuse to cover for absent colleagues, and refuse to reschedule lectures lost to strike action.