More strikes loom at University of Essex among redundancy chaos

The vote comes after the university emailed dozens of staff to tell them their jobs were now safe, only for them to be emailed again three days later and told this was a mistake, and they are still in fact, at risk of redundancy.

UCU is pressing the university to confirm how many staff are at risk, as numbers management has set out vary by more than 700 people.

During a packed branch meeting last week, Essex UCU members voted to strike as early as next month if management refuses to commence serious negotiations aimed at resolving the dispute. The vote also paves the way for coordinated strike action with professional services staff in Unite and Unison once their ballots close and a potential marking and assessment boycott if the dispute remains unresolved by exam season.

Staff returned to the picket line this week as part of 16 days of action throughout February and March. The university originally said it intended to axe 200 academic and 200 professional staff and close the Southend campus, all before the start of the next academic year. Management has now confirmed it has made over £10m of savings - more than half of its target - after staff worked together to reduce their hours and many made the tough decision to take voluntary redundancy.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: 'It is outrageous that staff were wrongly told their jobs are safe! It shows how chaotic and badly managed this whole redundancy process has been. Management needs to stop trying to rush through these disastrous cuts and work with us to protect the university's future.

'Our members are on picket lines again this week because they refuse to let management axe jobs, decimate provision, and shut down the only higher education institution in the city of Southend. It's time for a drastic change of heart before the reputation of the university as a reputable institution is lost forever.'