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Industrial action suspended at University of Manchester

9 January 2018

UCU has written to University of Manchester vice-chancellor Dame Nancy Rothwell informing her it is suspending industrial action until the end of February to allow for further talks to try and resolve the position of one staff member facing the threat of compulsory redundancy.

The university had announced plans to make as many as 171 members of staff redundant in May. However, following two days of strike action in October, the university said no academics would be made compulsorily redundant.

Following the strikes, UCU members have been engaged in "action short of a strike" that has seen them work only their contracted hours and not take on extra voluntary activities. That action has been suspended and the union said it hoped the move would allow for constructive talks to explore redeployment options for the member of staff still at risk.

UCU general secretary Sally Hunt said: 'This is a significant outcome that should make it clear to other universities and vice-chancellors that UCU will vigorously oppose compulsory redundancies throughout the university sector.

'University of Manchester UCU members should be proud of the campaign they ran and the strong action they took that led to the university rowing back on its plans just a week after their strikes.

'We would also like to thank shadow education secretary and Ashton-under-Lyne MP Angela Rayner for her support. We are suspending our action in good faith until the end of February and hope the university will now sit down with us to find a solution to this one outstanding issue.'

Last updated: 21 June 2021

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