Strike action threat over university cuts

Union members at the University of Bradford have voted to strike over a £16m budget cut which could see jobs axed and some courses closed.

The University and College Union (UCU) said a ballot had a turnout of 57% of which 82% voted in favour of industrial action.

The union said members would meet on Thursday to decide on what steps to take, which could include a strike or action short of strike beginning as soon as 12 June, unless management ruled out compulsory redundancies.

A University of Bradford spokesperson said, like many similar institutions, it was "facing significant financial challenges" and was in the middle of a review to help "reshape" how it delivered higher education.

The UCU said the university had failed to set out where the cuts would fall, but said 230 professional service staff and more than 90 academics were already at risk.

The union said a further 200 academics would be put at risk of redundancy in the coming weeks.

At an all-staff meeting earlier this year, the university's chief financial officer said the aim was to reduce staffing to the level it was in 2019, the UCU claimed.

"This would equate to around 300 full-time equivalent jobs, but well over 300 staff once part-time roles are included," a union spokesperson said.

The cuts would see chemistry and film & television courses shut down, according to the UCU.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: "Bradford staff have overwhelmingly backed strike action because they refuse to see important courses cut, jobs axed, and staff and students pay the price for management's financial failings.

"The proposed cuts would also harm businesses throughout the region that rely on the university and limit the cultural offer available to local students."

She said management and the vice chancellor needed to listen to the union's concerns and rule out compulsory redundancies.

The university spokesperson said: "Like many UK universities, we are facing significant financial challenges.

"We are currently in the middle of a review that will help reshape the way we deliver higher education.

"We appreciate this is a difficult time for our staff and we will continue to support them in any way we can."

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