University staff to strike over job cuts

Liverpool Hope University says it has reduced the number of planned redundancies

Staff at a university in Liverpool are set to strike for 10 days over planned job cuts.

University and College Union (UCU) members at Liverpool Hope University will walk out for five days from 22 September and for another five days a week later.

The union describes proposed cuts to academic posts across several departments, including education, social sciences and creative arts, as "outrageous".

The university said it was "disappointed" at the decision to take industrial action and remained "committed to mitigate against compulsory redundancies where possible".

In May, it was revealed 39 jobs were set to be cut at the university, which has two campuses in the city.

A UCU representative said following negotiations fewer roles were now at risk but 30 staff still remained under threat.

They said the university had reopened its voluntary redundancy scheme but had refused to rule out compulsory redundancies.

The strike comes after 69% of UCU members voted in the recent ballot, with 85% backing strike action.

The UCU claims hardworking employees are paying the price for "poor management choices"

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: "Liverpool Hope University is trying to slash vital academic jobs as part of a politically motivated plan to reshape the institution.

"These cuts are not driven by necessity, they're the result of poor management choices and ballooning capital spending."

"It is outrageous that hardworking staff are being made to pay the price while senior managers continue to reward themselves handsomely."

She called on the university to "halt these cuts, rule out compulsory redundancies, and work with us to find a constructive path forward".

But a Liverpool Hope University representative said entering the redundancy process was "extremely difficult" but had been driven by financial considerations of "funding challenges" being faced by universities across the UK and the needs of future students.

"We are in contact with at-risk colleagues, providing information about redeployment opportunities and continue to offer colleagues wellbeing support," they said.

"We remain committed to mitigate against compulsory redundancies where possible."