Staff vote to strike at University of Sheffield over threat of job cuts

Two thirds (68%) of staff who voted backed strike action in a ballot that beat the 50% turnout threshold.

The university is reviewing several academic departments and UCU believes this will lead to restructures and redundancies. said management now needs to begin negotiating meaningfully with the union over how it will protect jobs and student provision.

The union last took strike action in November and December in a successful fight against compulsory redundancies, however management locked staff out, refusing to pay them even after they returned to work from picket lines.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: 'This vote for strike action should show University of Sheffield senior managers that our members will not allow them to get away with attacking student learning and staff working conditions.

'Unfortunately, after management locked staff out for taking lawful and successful strike action, relations are at an all-time low. The senior management team now needs to stop trying to force through cuts and begin meaningful negotiations. If it refuses to do so, we will be forced to return to picket lines.'