University of Essex staff to strike in February in fight against job cuts

Staff at the university will down tools from Thursday 12 February until Thursday 19 February, with continuous action short of a strike (ASOS) starting on Thursday 12 February. ASOS will consist of staff working strictly to contract, boycotting exam boards and open days, not undertaking voluntary activities and not covering for absent colleagues, or colleagues withholding labour for ASOS. 

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 to axe 200 academic and 200 professional services staff, resulting in more than one in 10 of the workforce losing 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 recently launched a film with staff and local people to highlight the issues involved and outline the negative impact the plans will have on both staff and the wider local community. 

Two rallies have been organised, in collaboration with Unison and Unite to protest against cuts to jobs and closure of Southend campus. 

Southend rally 

• 12:00-13:00 - Thursday 5th February 2026 
• The Forum, Elmer Square, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS1 1NS 
• Speakers: UCU general secretary Jo Grady, Unison general secretary Andrea Egan 

Colchester rally 

• 12:00-13:00 - Thursday 12th February 2026 
• University of Essex, Colchester Road entrance (Wivenhoe-side), Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex, CO4 3SQ 
• Speakers: Unison general secretary Andrea Egan (tbc) 

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: 'Strike action is a last resort for our members but decimating the staff body like this is nothing short of academic vandalism. It is impossible to axe 400 staff without hurting students and damaging the teaching and research capacity of the university. 

'Closing the Southend campus would be utterly devastating to the area and would rip the heart out of the town as it is not only home to hundreds of students but a driver of growth in the local economy. Our members are fighting for their jobs, their students, Southend's campus and the community they serve. We urge the university to think again and work with us to save jobs, and Southend campus.'