Goldsmiths UCU announce continuous walkout for September

The strikes will aim to stop redundancies and closure of multiple courses

4 months ago

Goldsmiths UCU have announced a start to continuous strike action from September 23rd.

This follows disputes with management over staff redundancies and threats to courses including Black British Literature, Black British History and Queer History.

Over 90 members of staff are at risk of losing their jobs before September.

Goldsmiths, University of London has also faced a global academic boycott by the union as well as an ongoing marking and assessment boycott due to threats to close courses and cuts to art and humanities.

Goldsmiths have been facing financial pressures due to a significant decrease in enrolment numbers last academic year resulting in a deficit of £16 million.

UCU general secretary criticised Goldsmiths management saying: “Industrial action on this scale is a last resort but our members have been pushed to breaking point by Goldsmiths’ insistence on forcing through its brutal redundancy programme. Management is in danger of turning Goldsmiths into an academic wasteland by slashing jobs and courses.

“They must think again, cancel the cuts and work with us to safeguard Goldsmiths’ future. If they do not, we will have no choice but to take long-term industrial action from September.”

A spokesperson for Goldsmiths told The London Tab: “Universities across the UK are having to make difficult decisions to navigate unprecedented financial challenges. This is a painful time for us all as we take steps to make our finances sustainable. We consulted staff and unions over our plans but unfortunately this did not result in viable ways forward which would have avoided or reduced the number of redundancies.

“Our plans will ensure that Goldsmiths continues to be a beacon for innovative research and teaching as well as an entry point for students, many of whom are the first in their family to go to university.