NORTH-East universities could face strike action after lecturers rejected the offer of a 2.5 per cent pay rise.

The Association on University Teachers (AUT) said it would "take whatever action necessary" to secure a better deal after refusing the offer by vice-chancellors yesterday.

Their hint at a possible strike comes in the same week that another lecturers' union, the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education (Natfhe), threatened more walkouts at further education colleges in protest against the offer of a 2.3 per cent rise from the Association of Colleges.

AUT general secretary Sally Hunt said: "This latest offer is a cruel blow against the legitimate expectations and aspirations of university staff, who have already delivered on increasing standards and boosting student numbers.

"It appears that Scrooge has taken over negotiations for university management and that staff are expected to work longer hours for less pay.

"I sincerely hope that the employers will reflect on the anger and frustration felt by their many thousands of dedicated staff and return to the negotiating table with a fair settlement."

The AUT, Natfhe and a third academics' union, EIS, which has also rejected the offer, said in a statement they were "prepared to organise the necessary action to achieve a just and fair pay settlement."

An AUT spokesman suggested this could include strike ballots.