University of Essex staff vote for strike action in fight against job cuts

The decision follows a ballot in which 85% of participating staff backed strike action, on a turnout of 66%. 

The dispute centres on the university's plan axe 200 academic and 200 professional services staff, meaning more than one in 10 of the workforce would lose their job. University management informed staff of the plan just before Christmas, wants to issue redundancy notices by May and has since announced plans to close the Southend campus over the summer. 

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: 'Strike action is a last resort for our members, but this yes vote shows they have had enough and prepared to fight to save jobs. Decimating the staff body like this is nothing short of academic vandalism. It is impossible to axe one in 10 employees without hurting students and damaging the teaching and research capacity of the university. 

'The proposed closure of Southend campus would devastate the area as it is not only home to hundreds of students but a driver of growth in the local economy. Shutting this campus will devastate Southend and take the heart out of the town. Our members are fighting for their jobs, their students and the community they serve. We urge the university to think again and work with us to save jobs, or face disruption in the coming months'