Strike action on the cards at University of Sussex in row over job cuts
2 December 2009
UCU today warned the University of Sussex that it could face strike action if it pressed ahead with controversial plans to axe more than 100 jobs.
At an emergency meeting yesterday local UCU members voted unanimously to give the local branch a mandate to ballot for industrial action if the threat of compulsory redundancies is not lifted through negotiation. They also passed a motion of no confidence in vice-chancellor Michael Farthing's proposals.
The response from the academic community to Farthing's plans to axe 115 jobs has been swift and demonstrates a united opposition to the cuts from the people who will be hit the hardest. The news about possible industrial action comes just five days after students and staff held lively protests against the job losses (on Friday).
Members were outraged to learn that the university is refusing to release its detailed plans to the schools and departments under threat, and is also denying the documents to its senate members. UCU reiterated today that any industrial action was always a last resort, but warned that it would fight any threat of compulsory redundancies. The union said its initial analysis of the planned cuts revealed they were unworkable and would significantly damage the quality of education at the university.
UCU said it was working closely with the students' union and the other campus unions to preserve the University of Sussex's excellent reputation, which saw it ranked as one of the fastest improving universities in the most recent National Student Survey results, and warned the university not to ignore its staff or students.
University of Sussex UCU representative, Paul Cecil, said: 'Industrial action is a last resort but UCU members here at Sussex have made it quite clear that they want to ballot for action if management pushes ahead with its deeply flawed strategy. If the University of Sussex wants to maintain or enhance its reputation it needs to think very carefully about the impact cutting staff will have.'
The response from the academic community to Farthing's plans to axe 115 jobs has been swift and demonstrates a united opposition to the cuts from the people who will be hit the hardest. The news about possible industrial action comes just five days after students and staff held lively protests against the job losses (on Friday).
Members were outraged to learn that the university is refusing to release its detailed plans to the schools and departments under threat, and is also denying the documents to its senate members. UCU reiterated today that any industrial action was always a last resort, but warned that it would fight any threat of compulsory redundancies. The union said its initial analysis of the planned cuts revealed they were unworkable and would significantly damage the quality of education at the university.
UCU said it was working closely with the students' union and the other campus unions to preserve the University of Sussex's excellent reputation, which saw it ranked as one of the fastest improving universities in the most recent National Student Survey results, and warned the university not to ignore its staff or students.
University of Sussex UCU representative, Paul Cecil, said: 'Industrial action is a last resort but UCU members here at Sussex have made it quite clear that they want to ballot for action if management pushes ahead with its deeply flawed strategy. If the University of Sussex wants to maintain or enhance its reputation it needs to think very carefully about the impact cutting staff will have.'
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