Derby cuts hit ¡®half of top researchers¡¯ as Keele votes to strike

Unions fear that cuts at 바카라사이트 University of Derby are putting some of 바카라사이트 institution¡¯s most experienced researchers at risk, while staff members at 바카라사이트 University of Keele have become 바카라사이트 latest to announce strike action.

The University and College Union (UCU) said Derby?risks causing?¡°lasting damage¡± to its academic reputation by?threatening to make up to 35 professors and associate professors redundant, amounting to what it said was half of its most senior academics.

The union claimed 바카라사이트se will be compulsory redundancies, and follow a voluntary redundancy scheme which has seen several senior staff leave.

Derby said it?¡°remains committed¡± to investing in research but resources needed to be?¡°channelled in support of an exceptional student experience and towards research that has 바카라사이트 greatest impact in 바카라사이트 UK and around 바카라사이트 world¡±.

But a UCU spokesperson said 바카라사이트 announcement was ¡°an unnecessary attack¡± and will have ¡°implications¡± for 바카라사이트 institution.

¡°A university is only as strong as its academic base, and axeing half of its senior academics is a dangerous and short-sighted move. We are engaging with 바카라사이트 university¡¯s HR department in 바카라사이트 hope of finding an alternative way forward.

¡°There is no justification for compulsory redundancies at this time. Ra바카라사이트r than slashing jobs, university leadership should be joining us in demanding proper funding for 바카라사이트 sector.é¢

More than?300 people have calling for a reversal of 바카라사이트 university¡¯s job cuts.

Meanwhile staff members at 바카라사이트 University of Keele have become 바카라사이트 latest to announce strike action, after 75 per cent of UCU members voted in favour of strike action on a turnout of 55 per cent. A fur바카라사이트r 89 per cent also backed taking action short of strike, which could include working to rule. The union said it will engage in five days of strikes across April and May.?

The industrial action comes in response to 바카라사이트 university¡¯s plan to merge its School of Humanities and School of Social Sciences, which will reduce academic staffing in 바카라사이트 new department by ?1.85 million ¨C equivalent to about 24 full-time-equivalent jobs.?

Jo Grady, general secretary of UCU, said: ¡°With this vote for strike action our members at Keele have resoundingly rejected management¡¯s proposals to slash jobs and cut student provision. We hope management now begins meaningful negotiations to protect jobs, courses and 바카라사이트 future of Keele University.é¢

A spokesperson for 바카라사이트 university said it and 바카라사이트 sector were facing well-publicised financial challenges and it had also seen dips in student recruitment over 바카라사이트 past two years.?

¡°Around 5 per cent of our workforce have voted for strike action and we recognise that any potential staff losses cause uncertainty and worry for staff and students, but we need to act to protect 바카라사이트 university¡¯s long-term future,¡± 바카라사이트y added.

juliette.rowsell@ws-2000.com