Overwhelming vote for strike action at University of Bradford

An overwhelming 82% of UCU members who voted back strike action in a ballot that had a turnout of 57%. The dispute is over the £16m of cuts management wants to force through. Members will meet tomorrow to decide upon next steps but strike action and action short of strike could begin as soon as 12 June unless management rules out compulsory redundancies.  

The university has so far failed to set out precisely where all the cuts will fall, but 230 professional service staff and over 90 academics are already at risk; and more than 200 more academics will also be put at risk in the coming weeks. At an all staff meeting earlier this year, the university's chief financial officer said the aim is to reduce staffing to the level it was in 2019. This would equate to around 300 full-time equivalent jobs, but well over 300 staff once part-time roles are included. 

The cuts will see chemistry and film & television courses shut down. Bradford is UNESCO's first city of film and the UK's city of culture 2025. Chemistry, and its successful apprenticeship programme, are crucial to training skilled workers for the regional economy and the uptake for chemistry degree apprenticeships is increasing.   

The vice-chancellor has been in post for five years and has a total pay packet worth over a quarter of a million pounds (£293,000). She has refused to extend the consultation period or take concrete measures that would mitigate the job losses. 

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: 'Bradford staff have overwhelmingly backed strike action because they refuse to see important courses cut, jobs axed, and staff and students pay the price for management's financial failings. 

'The proposed cuts would also harm businesses throughout the region that rely on the university and limit the cultural offer available to local students. 

'Management needs to look at this vote for strike action and begin listening to our concerns. If the vice-chancellor continues to refuse to extend the consultation period and to rule out compulsory redundancies then we will be forced to strike.'