Covid: Northumbria University staff back ballot for industrial action

Members of the University College Union held an emergency meeting citing health and safety concerns

Staff at a university where 770 students tested positive for Covid-19 have voted to ballot for industrial action and called on the vice-chancellor to resign.

The outbreak at Northumbria University in Newcastle was confirmed on Friday.

University and College Union (UCU) members unanimously backed the move, stating management had "refused" to address in-person teaching concerns.

The university said it would "work hard to deliver" for its students.

Members of the UCU, which represents lecturers, held an emergency meeting online earlier.

'A matter of life and death'

Regional official Iain Owens told the BBC it was "impossible" for staff to feel safe in face-to-face lessons.

"They are very anxious, the way forward is to take them away from the dangerous arena that is the Northumbria University campus," he said.

The union said it had urged the university to move learning online since the summer and declared a formal dispute on 24 September.

General Secretary Jo Grady said members did not want to take industrial action but described the situation was "a matter of life and death".

"Government guidelines that allow a university to continue with in-person teaching despite being the site of a massive outbreak, in an area that is already badly affected by Covid are not fit for purpose," she added.

'Campus is safe'

Pro-Vice Chancellor George Marston said the university had "engaged very strongly" with the staff concerns.

"I think it's important to understand that the government view is that university students should return to university," he added.

"It's not that Northumbria University is doing anything which is particularly unusual there.

"We take the health and safety of our staff and students very seriously, we have followed all of the government guidance, all of the legislation, we have put a great deal of effort in to ensure that the campus is safe.

"At the moment we have one voice that's saying we should go to online teaching only but there are a number of voices that are saying something different. What we will continue to do is to deliver blended learning until its appropriate not to do so."

Prof Marston said the number of cases had "reduced significantly".

Since mid-September the university has recorded 770 cases of coronavirus, which saw hundreds of students self-isolate.

When it revealed the figure on Friday, the university said the number of self-reported cases was 78, its lowest daily figure for five days.

Prof Marston said the number of cases had "reduced significantly".

A Department for Education spokesperson said it was "working closely" with universities to ensure they provide adequate support to all those affected by the outbreak.

"We understand this has been a very difficult time for students and staff, which is why we have prioritised their education and wellbeing, by supporting universities to provide a blend of online and in-person learning in a Covid secure way this term.

"The government supports face to face teaching only where possible and if safety guidelines are followed."