Union condemns continued docking of staff pay following strike action at University of Sheffield

Staff at the university took 16 days of strike action in November and December in a fight against job cuts in professional service staff and further plans to cut jobs in academic areas 

The university has this week informed staff that if they do not reschedule any teaching lost during the strike (for which staff were not paid) wages would be withheld between 19 January and 6 February and any work undertaken regarded as voluntary. 

Over 900 students have this week signed an open letter to Sheffield's vice-chancellor, Koen Lamberts, saying they have lost confidence in him and calling on him to resign. 

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: 'There is no justification for the threatened job cuts at the University of Sheffield, especially when there are other options available, and staff should not have been forced into strike action. 

'For management to now threaten staff with withholding pay, on top of the pay lost for lawful industrial action, is nothing short of scandalous. Telling staff that, if they do not make up the work lost during the strike (for which they were not paid) that their pay will be docked further, is just not on. Sheffield management should get back round the table and work with us to save jobs.'