University faces potential strike action over plans to cut jobs

The UCU union said 69 per cent of staff who voted in the consultative ballot backed strike action, with the turnout surpassing the 50% anti-trade union threshold.

If the result is repeated in a statutory ballot then the university faces the possibility of strikes on campus.

The union says that at a meeting last month, university vice-chancellor Shirley Condon stated that 200 jobs would go as part of £13m worth of cuts.

But at the same meeting, the chief financial officer said the university wants to cut staffing to an equivalent level as existed in 2019. This equates to around 300 full-time equivalent jobs, and more than 300 staff once those in part-time roles are included.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “Our members are prepared to strike because they refuse to bear the brunt of years of mismanagement.

“The proposed cuts are fundamentally flawed and would see important courses axed.

“We have appealed to the vice-chancellor to work with us to defend as many jobs as possible and secure the future of our university. But no such assurances have been forthcoming.

“At every step, our members have demonstrated a willingness to engage with management to secure the future of the university, but management has repeatedly refused to listen to our concerns.

“Now UCU has shown we are willing to strike to protect jobs we hope management will begin to negotiate meaningfully and in good faith.

“The cuts being threatened would also have a devastating impact on businesses that rely on trade with university staff and students.

“The academic vandalism Bradford’s management is embarking upon not only affects the university, but all the people of Bradford, and we call upon constituency MPs, council leaders and councillors to stand with our members to protect jobs and our communities.”

A University of Bradford spokesman told the BBC: “Like many UK universities, we are facing significant financial challenges and need to make at least £13m in savings.

“We are reviewing every area of the university in order to reduce costs and create a more efficient organisation, while still providing outstanding student experience and world-leading research.

“Part of this involves reducing our staffing costs, a process which we are part way through.

“We appreciate this is a challenging time for our staff and we are doing everything we can to support them.”