University staff insisted they had no choice but to strike in defence of their pay and conditions.
Thursday’s protest affected Abertay, Dundee, St Andrews and Stirling universities and other institutions across the country, with unions joining forces to bring out their members from porters to professors.
Dr Andy Samuel, president of Abertay’s branch of the academics union, said employees had seen their pay decline in real terms by 13% since 2009, with lecturers losing more than £4,000 despite many working more than 50 hours per week.
More than 11,600 university employees earned less than the living wage but employers paid 2,500 of their staff more than £100,000 a year and vice-chancellors earned an average of £250,000 a year.
He said: “Staff have to work longer, pay more in and get less from their pensions.
“They face outsourcing, usually the precursor to worse pay and conditions, pensions cuts or redundancies. PhD students do what ends up as sub-minimum wage teaching, hourly paid, without guaranteed work.
“The strike is about austerity policies that cut wages, conditions and pensions for most, while those at the top are enriched.
“Students and the Dundee community should be worried staff work to provide services for them.”
The Student Representative Council at Dundee University voted to support its striking staff, saying it believed university employees must be adequately supported and paid appropriately for the work they do.
It also urged negotiations to continue so that a settlement could be reached with as little impact on the student experience as possible.
Students’ association president Iain MacKinnon said: “I think it is incredibly important that we stand with our lecturers and support staff on this issue, as unless they receive the support they need for their work our student experience will invariably suffer as a result.
“It is important that any action taken has as little impact on students’ learning as possible, however in this case the minor amount of disruption which may be caused is a small price to pay to ensure that everyone on campuses across the UK, not just the students, feel appreciated by their university.”
Despite the walkout by members of the UCU, Unite and Unison, the body representing higher education institutions said there had been a “minimal” disruption for students.
A UCEA spokesman said: “Institutions tell us that the vast majority of staff understand the reality of the current financial situation and do not support action which would harm their institutions and especially their students.
“Nonetheless we are all disappointed that after six months of extended talks and what we believe is a fair pay offer these trade unions remain on a path to cause disruption.”