University staff to strike over 'drastic' cuts

Staff at the University of Sheffield have voted to go on strike over "drastic" restructuring plans which aim to save £23m over two years.

The University and College Union (UCU) said up to 1,000 jobs would be put at risk by the plans, which have seen the number of academic departments cut by more than half.

The university said it would not be making that many staff redundant, with a "significantly lower" number of jobs affected.

Three quarters of voters backed strike action after the university did not agree to make zero compulsory redundancies during the restructure.

It said this would have been "irresponsible … given the challenges the higher education sector is facing".

In November, after the university found itself facing a £50m shortfall, Vice Chancellor Koen Lamberts announced plans to cut staffing costs by £9m in 2025 and £14m in 2026.

Three hundred members of staff at the university had already taken voluntary redundancy by the end of 2024.

UCU General Secretary Jo Grady said: "These cuts are too deep, too fast, and put vital student support and academic provision at risk.

"Staff at Sheffield have sent a clear message that they are willing to take industrial action to protect their jobs and the future of their university."

A spokesperson for the university noted similar industrial action was taking place across higher education in the UK.

They cited "difficult decisions institutions are making to address sector-wide challenges".

The university would aim to minimise the impact of the strike, although the "vast majority" of students and staff would likely be unaffected by the action, they added.

Strike dates have not yet been confirmed.