Brighton University staff vow to strike in defence of over 100 jobs
10 May 2023
Staff at the University of Brighton have voted unanimously to ballot for strike action at an emergency UCU branch meeting last Friday. The meeting was called after the university announced plans to make up to 97 academic posts and a number of professional services staff redundant. UCU said the cuts could see well over 100 staff lose their jobs.
The university claims it is cutting staff because it needs to make £17.9m in savings. The cuts would mean a huge reduction in lecturers in subjects including art, media, education, architecture, engineering, humanities and sport science. Yet Brighton already has one of the worst student to staff ratios in the UK and has spent over £50m on building projects in the last two years.
Unless the university halts it could be hit with a strike ballot before the end of the month.
UCU regional official Michael Moran said: 'It is inexplicable that Brighton University is moving to sack over 100 employees whilst squandering tens of millions of pounds on shiny new buildings.
'If these cuts go through they would cause long lasting damage to the university, the local community and to future generations of students who will be less able to access the learning they want.
'The university now has a small window of opportunity to reverse course or we will begin balloting for strike action.'
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