Irate staff say the controversial move was not properly consulted and could result in members losing thousands of pounds in their pensions packets.
At the rally, leaders in Scotland’s trade union community addressed the crowd, including Roz Foyer, general secretary of the STUC.
Foyer said: “I want to offer support and solidarity from across the trades unions in Scotland.
“This is legalised daylight robbery, and creates a perverse incentive for universities to withdraw from pensions when they are in surplus.”
“This short sighted move by the university will not go unchallenged.”
Andy Murray, one of Unite’s national negotiators, said:
“We’ve got to stop them, it’s the tip of the iceberg. If Strathclyde does this to you, the other universities will do the same.
“It’s your money and we have to protect you.”
The union’s members are in the midst of two weeks of strikes which will conclude on 24 March.
In a statement, a Strathclyde University spokesperson noted that extensive consultation had taken place.
They said: “The University’s Court has unanimously supported a proposal to transition members of the Strathclyde Pension Fund (SPF) into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS). This decision follows nine months of extensive staff consultation and engagement with campus unions.
“This decision has been made for the good of all of our staff and students and to secure a sustainable basis for Strathclyde’s continued success while maintaining excellent pension provisions for our staff. We are pleased that our colleagues who are members of Unison have voted to accept the proposal.
“However, we are disappointed UNITE members have chosen to take strike action. The University will take all necessary steps to ensure this action has minimal impact on our students, staff and operations.”
