The University and College Union claims the university plans to move all staff to its wholly owned subsidiary, Solent University Services Limited, forcing them out of the Local Government Pension Scheme and Teachers’ Pension Scheme and onto a defined contribution pension it describes as ‘inferior’.

UCU said that in a recent video call with staff, vice-chancellor Professor James Knowles said the changes are part of wider efforts to ensure the university’s financial sustainability.

The university insists the consultation remains ongoing and that no final decision has been made.

A Solent University spokesperson said: “Like many universities across the sector, Southampton Solent University is carefully considering a range of measures to ensure our continued financial sustainability and ability to deliver a high-quality education.

“As part of this, and importantly to secure jobs within the university, we are currently carrying out a comprehensive consultation around the proposed transfer of Professional Services staff from the Local Government Pension Scheme to a defined contribution scheme, already available to professional service colleagues since 2018.

“A final decision on this matter has not been made at this time.”

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The university confirmed that teachers in the TPS would not be affected by the current consultation.

However, UCU has accused Solent of “fire and rehire” tactics, alleging that staff who refuse to move to the subsidiary company would lose their jobs without redundancy pay or notice.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “For Solent to even consider stripping staff of their secure pensions under the threat of dismissal, is both shameful and unprecedented.

“Instead of denying staff a fair pay rise and forcing them onto inferior pension schemes through the use of opaque subsidiary companies, management should be focused on rewarding and retaining the dedicated people who make the university run.”

The union warned that strike action could follow if the dispute is not resolved, describing Solent’s approach as “a dangerous precedent” for the higher education sector.