STUDENTS in Scotland have taken action against their universities in solidarity with striking staff.

As University and College Union (UCU) members took part in demonstrations outside 60 affected institutions up and down Britain, students at the University of Strathclyde occupied a lecture theatre to show their support for lecturers and other staff.

The group of six, calling themselves Strathclyde Students in Solidarity, took over the lecture theatre in a Glasgow city centre building, with half a dozen security staff guarding the door.

A list of demands, including the resignation of some members of senior management and the university’s divestment from fossil fuels, have also been set out.

One of the six, Max McKay, said: “We’ve had positive support.

“We want to continue as long as we practically can. I believe it will continue for the eight days of planned strike action.”

Other student occupations have also taken place elsewhere in Scotland, including at the University of Edinburgh.

UCU members at Strathclyde say the occupation of the building shows the level of student support for the industrial action.

A Strathclyde UCU spokesman told the Morning Star: “I think we’re proud of any students who will stand up and take action.

“It shows the strength of feeling across campus that they feel obliged to take this action and force the hand of the university sector across the UK, where inequality is rife.”

Elsewhere,  turnouts on picket lines remained impressive on the the second day of the strikes.

At Sheffield Hallam University, management was accused of asking its students to “snitch” on staff after posting a web link asking students to report missed lectures.

Students there took to social media to ridicule and criticise the university, with union officials insisting that universities hit by strikes should focus on trying to resolve disputes.

The 60 institutions already affected by the industrial action could be joined by another 13 universities, after the UCU announced repeat ballots of members.

The union has warned that if the disputes cannot be resolved, then more strikes are likely in the new year, with more members eligible to take part and more universities and students affected.

The University of Strathclyde was contacted for comment.