University of Sheffield staff to strike from this week in job cuts row

The full UCU strike dates are: 

• Monday 17, Tuesday 18, Wednesday 19, and Friday 21 November  
• Monday 24 to Thursday 27 November  
• Monday 1, Tuesday 2, Wednesday 4 and Friday 5 December  
• Tuesday 9 to Friday 12 December 

Pickets will take place at locations across the university on each morning of action, with the main picket at the Firth Court section of the Western Bank campus, where the vice-chancellor's office is based. 

A rally took place yesterday (jointly with Sheffield Hallam branch) at Barkers Pool in the city centre. 

The dispute centres on management's plans to put staff at risk of redundancy, as well as a continued risk of cuts to professional services staff across the university.  Up to 20 staff are currently at risk of compulsory redundancy, with seven facing the prospect of losing their jobs in December. 

The schools of East Asian studies, chemistry, and materials sciences are facing restructures in early 2026 that are expected to involve threats of compulsory redundancy. 

The schools of English; history, philosophy, and digital humanities; medicine and population health; sociological studies, politics, and international relations are also expected to face reviews that could lead to further restructures and job losses. 

Sheffield plans to cut at least £5m by slashing staff and has made clear it is also willing to pursue more cuts by shrinking departments.  

For staff that remain, the job cuts will mean spiraling workload pressures and worse working conditions. 

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: 'Staff are downing tools from today because they refuse to accept threats to our members' jobs. They will not accept the degradation of staff working conditions through ever-increasing workload pressures. 

'Striking is always a last resort, but the action planned over the next two months shows staff have had enough and are prepared to fight back. If the employer does not reverse its decision to cut jobs, it should expect disruption on campus throughout this term.'