Strike ballot opens at Kingston University over cuts & course closures

The dispute is over a £20m cuts programme that university management is forcing through, including the closure of the humanities department alongside courses in the department of criminology, sociology and politics. The university has already tried to get staff out the door through a voluntary severance scheme. UCU fears compulsory redundancy is also on the cards and that a further nine departments are at risk.

Management pulled out of talks aimed at resolving the dispute and refuses to rule out compulsory redundancies despite its £7m surplus (23/24) and the over £400m it holds in reserves.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: 'Our Kingston University members are being balloted to defend education and save the departments, courses and jobs students rely upon to get their degrees. Management has a window of opportunity to rule out compulsory redundancies, return to talks and avoid any disruption on campus. If it refuses to do so, our members will not hesitate to take action to protect jobs and courses.'