Newcastle University strike days announced
It comes amid job losses and £30m in cuts
Academics at Newcastle University are set to strike across 14 days in protest over 300 potential job losses.
This afternoon, the University and College Union announced that its members at Newcastle University will take strike action on 14 days before the the end of term on March 28. This follows rising tensions between the union and management over £30m in cuts, previous pay and promotion freezes, and a 5% to the institution’s wage bill, equivalent to 300 jobs.
In addition, despite a voluntary severance scheme already in operation, the University’s management has refused to rule out compulsory job losses.
Newcastle University, alongside other Higher Education establishments, is tackling a £35m financial shortfall reported last year after a decline in applications from international students. The UCU has stated it has informed University bosses over members’ decision to take industrial action.
Strikes will take place on:
– March 4, 6
– March 10, 11, 12
– March 17, 18, 19, 20
– March 24, 25, 26, 27, 28
The UCU has also stated that continuous action short of strike will begin on March 4.
Chair of Newcastle University UCU branch, Matt Perry, said: “Staff and students have lost confidence in the VC. Those responsible at the top are making staff pay for their failures. Gambling on the international student market and expansion through new buildings are going to cost our jobs unless we do something about it. Massive job cuts at Sunderland, Durham and Newcastle Universities are a recipe for recession in the North East and we need more young people in our universities, not less.”
The union has also repeatedly called on the government to radically overhaul the funding model for Universities and Higher Education, going so far as to call for the abolition of tuition fees in place of secured funding.
Separate to the UCU, the trade union UNISON, representing non-academic staff, has also spoken out against the University’s cost-cutting measures. UNISON has not announced strike action.
UNISON Northern Higher Education lead said: “Staff at Newcastle University have been telling UNISON that workloads have increased as staff are not replaced and they simply can’t continue to provide everything students and researchers need with fewer and fewer staff. UNISON opposes any compulsory redundancies and will be working with the University and the other trade unions to protect jobs and the quality of the services provided at Newcastle University.
“UNISON also recognises the difficult financial situation for many Universities which is why we’re speaking to the Government about future funding for Higher Education.”
A spokesperson for Newcastle University said: “We are extremely disappointed by the announcement of industrial action and will be putting in place measures to maintain academic standards and the integrity of our teaching.
“Like universities across the UK, we are working to address the financial pressures which is why our senior management have been exploring opportunities overseas including a possible campus in India.
“We want to work constructively with our unions to build a more sustainable future for universities while supporting our colleagues throughout this challenging time.”
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