University staff are poised to vote on possible strike action in response to a looming £35 million shortfall that has placed significant strain on the institution. The ballot will open on Monday, with over 1,000 employees potentially participating in industrial action, following a previous consultative ballot in which 74.6% of members expressed support for such measures.
The financial deficit has arisen primarily from a notable decline in international student enrollment. While the university has managed to identify £15 million in mitigation efforts, an additional £20 million is still required to address the shortfall adequately. In an effort to manage costs, the university has instituted several measures, including a promotion freeze, travel restrictions, and a voluntary redundancy scheme. However, management has not ruled out the possibility of compulsory redundancies.
Matt Perry, chair of the university's University and College Union (UCU) branch, has voiced deep concerns regarding the situation. He emphasized the detrimental impact of the cuts on staff, students, and research initiatives. Perry stated, "We will be voting for industrial action because the cuts profoundly damage us, our students and our research."
Management's approach to the financial crisis has raised additional apprehensions among staff. They have refused to disclose their plans for further cuts and have not eliminated the option of compulsory redundancies. Perry criticized this lack of transparency, insisting that "management refuses to rule out compulsory redundancies, nor will it share its plans for the next stage of cuts, which come after the second voluntary severance package in a year."
In light of these developments, the UCU is calling for greater accountability regarding the university's financial situation. "We want to open the books and independently assess the university's financial situation," Perry remarked. He urged management to engage in negotiations that would avoid placing staff at risk of job loss.
In response to inquiries about their strategies for addressing the budgetary woes, a university spokesperson confirmed that they have implemented various cost-saving measures. "We have implemented a range of cost-saving measures, including voluntary severance schemes, tighter controls on recruitment and restrictions on non-pay budgets," they explained.
The challenges facing this university reflect broader issues within the UK higher education sector. As institutions grapple with shifting demographics and financial pressures, many are experiencing similar shortfalls.
