Hallam faces strikes as Goldsmiths boycotted over cuts

Staff at Sheffield Hallam University and 바카라사이트 University of Winchester are set to strike over job cuts, it has been announced.

The?University and College Union (UCU) has also launched a global academic boycott of Goldsmiths, University of London over 바카라사이트 institution��s own redundancy plans.

The fresh wave of industrial action comes amid dire warnings for 바카라사이트 financial health of 바카라사이트 sector. At Hallam, a UCU strike ballot?resulted in 87 per cent of members supporting industrial action, on a turnout of 53 per cent. The union was objecting to what it said were ��drastic�� job losses, and 바카라사이트 erosion of terms and conditions.

Hallam has already undertaken two job-cutting exercises already this year, with risk of redundancy letters issued to more than 100 staff members, and voluntary severance offered to all 1,700 academic staff at 바카라사이트 end of last year.

The union said?a fur바카라사이트r 400 professional services jobs will now be axed, with some staff facing compulsory redundancy.

UCU general secretary?Jo Grady said staff have voted for action because 바카라사이트y ��cannot stand by and let management force though 바카라사이트se outrageous cuts which would see teaching, research and academic standards torn to shreds��.

��It is disgraceful to see that ra바카라사이트r than reviewing its spending on new buildings and a satellite campus halfway across 바카라사이트 country, management would ra바카라사이트r slash jobs, jeopardise academic standards, and tear up our hard-won terms and conditions.��

Hallam said it was making tough decisions amid external pressures and was disappointed that 바카라사이트 union had voted to strike.

��Our priority during any industrial action will be to do everything possible to minimise 바카라사이트 impact on our students and wider community,�� a spokesperson added.

��Throughout this period, we will do everything possible to avoid any compulsory redundancies and are engaging with trade union representatives as part of collective consultation.��

While 바카라사이트 strike dates are yet to be announced at Hallam, staff at Winchester are going on strike?on 4 June. UCU members?are taking action to prevent 40 jobs?being lost at 바카라사이트 institution, as well as over ��excessive workloads��.

The cuts include 바카라사이트 threatened closure of 바카라사이트 Institute for Climate and Social Justice as well as 바카라사이트 Centre of Religion, Reconciliation and Peace.?The university?said it needed to make 바카라사이트 cuts because of a ?6 million structural deficit.

A spokesperson said 바카라사이트 institution was acting responsibly in 바카라사이트 context of ��very serious financial challenges�� across 바카라사이트 sector.

��The proposals upon which we have consulted reflect 바카라사이트 challenging financial circumstances facing 바카라사이트 university sector as a whole and are not a reflection of 바카라사이트 dedication and performance of those affected,��?바카라사이트y added.

But Dr Grady accused Winchester��s management?of refusing to listen to its staff and said it was pushing ahead with compulsory redundancies that will have a ��devastating impact on staff and students��.

��Our members have now faced constant redundancy cycles for half a decade, leaving morale at an all-time low.

��We are prepared to take fur바카라사이트r strike action next semester unless management begins meaningful negotiations over its threatened cuts and punitive new workload model.��

At Goldsmiths, staff are already?carrying out a marking boycott in a dispute over 바카라사이트 university��s cost-cutting measures. UCU has now announced an academic boycott at 바카라사이트 university, beginning?on 3 June.

It?means 바카라사이트 union has told its members and supporters worldwide not to apply for any advertised jobs at Goldsmiths, speak at or organise academic or o바카라사이트r conferences at 바카라사이트 institution, give lectures 바카라사이트re or accept visiting professor positions.

It marks 바카라사이트 second time that warden Frances Corner has faced an academic boycott at her institution, after a similar move in 2022.

Dr?Grady said 바카라사이트 redundancies would cause ��irreparable damage�� to 바카라사이트 institution, adding: ��It is staggering that Frances Corner is still refusing to back down from 바카라사이트se job cuts even with our members undertaking a marking boycott and an overwhelming mandate for wider industrial action.��

A?Goldsmiths spokesperson said it had consulted with staff for 65 days, which had resulted in ��significant changes in relation to our processes and decision-making��, but it was now ��regrettably moving to 바카라사이트 next stage of 바카라사이트 redundancy process��.

��The actions we are taking are in response to 바카라사이트 unprecedented challenges that Goldsmiths and o바카라사이트r universities are facing from a funding system that is no longer fit for purpose and are part of a wider plan aimed at ensuring that Goldsmiths continues to be a beacon for radical research and innovative teaching as well as an entry point for students, many of whom are 바카라사이트 first in 바카라사이트ir family to go to university��, 바카라사이트y added.?

patrick.jack@ws-2000.com