Staff vote for strike action after 36 threatened with job cuts at University of Sheffield International College
29 January 2025
Staff at the University of Sheffield International College (USIC), run by the private company Study Group, voted overwhelmingly to take strike action over job cuts. With a turnout of 72%, 100% of those who voted backed strike action.
The result comes after USIC put 36 staff at risk of redundancy by April (2025) in the student support and academic teaching teams. The employer has claimed the cuts are necessary due to a fall in student numbers this academic year, which it says has hit the company's finances, but it has also described the situation as a 'short-term gap' in communications to staff.
The college is operated by Study Group, which has recently signed a new ten year contract with the University of Sheffield, and located to a University of Sheffield building. Study Group also uses University of Sheffield branding and provides preparation courses for international students who want to go on and study at the university. Students from all over the world enrol to improve their English, study skills and subject specialism in readiness for their degrees. Courses at USIC can cost students up to £26k per year.
USIC UCU branch chair Sam Morecroft said: 'It is clear these redundancies have nothing to do with falling student numbers and everything to do with an attempt to force an untested standardised operating model on our college, which will increase staff workload and reduce the quality of academic and pastoral support our students receive. Our members are prepared to strike unless the employer removes the threat of compulsory redundancies. Study Group now needs to begin meaningful negotiations and look at other cost-saving measures to close what it says is only a short-term financial gap.'
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