University staff vote to strike over job cut threat

Staff at the University of Nottingham have voted in favour of striking over "drastic" plans for job losses and restructuring.

In April, the university proposed to reduce the number of professional service roles by 258 - from a total workforce of about 5,000 - which covers a wide range of non-academic positions.

The University and College Union (UCU) said there was an "overall strong endorsement" for industrial action, with approximately 72% of members in favour from a turnout of about 63%.

At the time of the announcement, university president and vice-chancellor Prof Jane Norman said the sector was "grappling with significant financial challenges", in part caused by a fall in revenues.

This has been made worse by a fall in the number of international students and the ongoing effect of the rising cost of living, Prof Norman added.

The university launched a 90-day consultation on 8 April, which also outlined its plans to remove a further 98 vacant jobs.

The union says it is now in the process of finalising dates for strike action over the next six months.

Lopa Leach, UCU branch president, said: 'We do not like to take industrial action.

"However, considering the drastic plans for job losses and restructuring, we are left with no alternative in order to protect the jobs.

"Our members have made clear that any compulsory redundancies will be met with decisive industrial action.

"Management can still turn back and follow alternative proposals."

The university added the institution had tried to reduce costs in a sustainable manner.

This included a reduction of budgets, the removal of £40m from its planned spend and plans to sell King's Meadow Campus.