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Outrage at vice-chancellor's 'disgraceful' method of announcing 200 job losses at University of Cumbria

3 December 2009

The UCU at the University of Cumbria said that it was absolutely outrageous that vice-chancellor, Peter McCaffrey, broke the news of 200 jobs going to students before informing the staff. In the run up to Christmas, many staff found out their job was at risk through the media.

The UCU said McCaffrey, who was speaking to students from the Ambleside campus, had showed a disgraceful disregard for his staff. The students, after hearing what he had to say, took to the streets in protest and were joined by MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, Tim Farron. Staff at the crisis-hit institution warned this afternoon that more protests were likely and that they could not rule out strike action.

UCU regional official, Iain Owens, said: 'It is absolutely outrageous that the vice-chancellor announced the loss of 200 jobs to students this morning, without any prior warning to the staff. Most of the staff I have spoken to found out they might be losing their job, in the run up to Christmas, from the local paper.

'I am not surprised the students took to the streets to express their anger over the apparent demise of Ambleside. We will be looking to sit down with them shortly and talk through the next steps to save the campus. Peter McCaffrey's utter disregard for his staff is an absolute disgrace.'

Last updated: 11 December 2015

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