Thousands of university staff could take part in strike action after voting overwhelmingly in favour of a walkout.

Two ballots by the University and College Union (UCU) saw more than eight in ten academic staff vote in favour of industrial action, granting the union a mandate to strike at almost every university in the country, including both the University of Sussex and Brighton University.

The union has called on vice-chancellors to enter negotiations immediately and make improved offers to pay, working conditions and pensions in order to avoid disruption.

The UCU is demanding a meaningful pay rise to deal with the cost of living crisis and calling for employers to revoke the 35 per cent cut they made to the guaranteed retirement income of the average member.

Strike dates have yet to be announced by the union.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “History has been made by our members in universities, who in huge numbers have delivered an unprecedented mandate for strike action.

“The vice chancellors who run universities have repeatedly and in a coordinated fashion come after our members.

“Now it’s 150 bosses against 70,000 university workers who are ready and willing to bring the entire sector to a standstill, if serious negotiations don’t start very soon.

“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.”

The University of Sussex and Brighton University has been approached for comment.