University staff march in strike protest

About 550 academic staff from Auckland University of Technology (AUT) marched down Queen Street in Auckland this morning as part of strike action in their bid for better pay.

A spokeswoman for the Association of Staff in Tertiary Education (ASTE), Irena Brorens, said the current offer of 3.5 per cent over two years was "unacceptable".

The march ended with a meeting to discuss the one-day strike action.

"Members have been on a work to rule for the past week... we had no choice but to strike.

"The meeting will discuss today's action and what members want to do next," Ms Borens told NZPA from the protest.

Yesterday AUT vice-chancellor Derek McCormack expressed disappointment with the union's action, and said their claims that salaries were lagging behind the rest of the country were unfounded.

Union members are claiming 6.5 per cent over a two-year period.

Members picketed on the Wellesley and Akoranga campuses today.

A university spokesman said the ASTE represented about half the university's academic staff.

- NZPA