Lectures could be cancelled as higher education staff strike over pay on Thursday, with members of the University and College Union (UCU), UNISON and Unite taking coordinated action.

Unison says the action is in response to "an inadequate 1% pay offer" from the national HE employers, which the union says "falls well short of addressing years of below inflation increases, which have seen HE staff pay fall behind in real terms by over 13%".

"Both Universities UK and the Higher Education Funding Council for England and Wales agree that there has never been so much money in higher education with over £1 billion in surpluses and new buildings rising across the country. Now is the time for higher education to invest in its staff," said Unison.

Meanwhile the UCU website claims: "The squeeze on staff pay comes at a time when pay and benefits for university leaders increased, on average, by more than £5,000 in 2011-12, with the average pay and pensions package for vice-chancellors hitting almost £250,000."

Lecturers, as well as security and administrative staff are involved in the dispute.

Lunchtime rally

There will be a rally at Guildhall Square in Southampton (Guildhall Square, Southampton SO14 7FP) between midday and 1.30pm, with members from the University of Southampton and Southampton Solent in attendance.

All three unions say they expect there to be widespread support for the first walk out over pay in universities for seven years, with pickets expected at the University of Southampton Highfield campus.