University of Lincoln will face strike action after more than 200 jobs cut

80 per cent of UCU members voted in favour of the strikes

6 months ago

University of Lincoln staff have voted to strike over drastic cuts of over 200 jobs.

The University and College Union (UCU) announced on 6th June that 80 per cent of members that voted supported industrial action on a turnout of 55 per cent.

The vote came as a result of threats to lose 220 employees across the university, including one in 10 academic staff. As such, there has already been a cut to the Modern Languages provision, seeing a loss of eight members of staff.

Author’s own screenshot via University of Lincoln Internal Communications email.

According to UCU Regional Support Official, Joe Rooney, “taking strike action is a last resort but our members have been left with no choice as management is refusing to budge in its plans to slash jobs.”

The cuts are coming despite recent accounts showing that in 2022/2023 the university’s operating surplus ran at £3m and had £46m in cash reserves.

Rooney also argues that the cuts will also impact “current and future students and damage the university’s vital role as the region’s cornerstone of education” whilst simultaneously impacting “the local economy” by “exacerbating existing challenges and inequalities.”

This is not the first time that members of staff have spoken out about the cuts, with a number of posters being distributed around the campus and surrounding areas of the city.

Dates for the strikes have yet to be announced but may be as soon as next month which could affect Clearing and Open Days.