University staff to strike over planned £16m cuts

UCU members at the university have announced 10 days of industrial action

Staff at the University of Bradford will begin ten days of strike action next week over plans to make £16m of savings by cutting jobs and closing multiple courses.

The University and College Union (UCU) said its members would walk out on Monday in protest against the cuts, with further dates planned throughout July.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said staff had "no choice but to down tools" and warned of further disruption if the university did not meet their demands.

A spokesperson for the University of Bradford said: "We respect the rights of our staff to take industrial action."

The UCU claimed the university had put more than 450 jobs at risk, including academics in archaeology and forensic science, biomedical sciences, psychology and public health.

It said the university was also looking to close its chemistry and film and television courses.

The strikes come after 67% of UCU members voted in favour of industrial action, the union said.

After Monday, further walk outs are scheduled for Monday 7, Tuesday 8, Thursday 10 and Friday 11 July. Staff will then strike for five consecutive days between 21 and 25 July.

Ms Grady said: "Bradford staff have no choice but to down tools because they refuse to see important courses cut, jobs axed, and staff and students pay the price for management's financial failings.

"The vice-chancellor now needs to extend the consultation period and rule out compulsory redundancies.

"If she refuses to do so, there will be sustained disruption on campus."

Responding to the announcement, a university spokesperson said it hoped to keep disruption to students to a minimum.

"We appreciate this is a difficult time for many at the university and we will continue to offer support wherever possible," they said.

"Like many UK universities, we are facing significant financial challenges and addressing these remains a priority in order to safeguard the long-term future of the university."

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