University of Liverpool staff begin strike over job losses

Staff at the University of Liverpool are unhappy about job losses

About 1,300 staff at the University of Liverpool have begun a three-week strike in protest at job cuts.

They are protesting against plans announced in January to cut 32 roles at the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences.

The University and College Union said "the criteria for sacking staff is fundamentally flawed" and "there is evidence of age discrimination".

University leaders said the changes had been "carefully considered".

The original plan had been for 47 job losses but this was later negotiated down to 32, the union said.

General secretary Jo Grady described the cuts as a "senseless attack".

"If these cuts go through, they would damage student learning, damage research, and have long lasting negative consequences for staff throughout the sector," she said.

A university spokesperson said: "We recognise that industrial action will be a cause of concern for staff and students alike, and we are particularly disappointed that it has been called during our students' assessment period, after this already challenging academic year.

"The university has processes in place to help keep any disruption to a minimum and is prioritising this.

"Every effort is being made to resolve the dispute with UCU and we will continue to keep colleagues and students updated."

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