
‘Where’s the money?’: UCU members protest outside the Senedd over proposed Cardiff Uni cuts
Protestors took to the Welsh Parliament in a fight against proposed course and job losses
UCU members protested outside the Senedd today in opposition to proposed cuts at Cardiff University.
Last week, it was reported that Cardiff University could be losing 400 jobs, along with numerous courses due to its financial struggles.
However, Cardiff UCU has been vocal in its opposition to the proposals, going to Wales’ Parliament today (4th February) to protest against the potential cuts.
Protestors stood at the top of the steps, facing inside the building, whilst waving flags and holding up placards.
Along with the UCU, other union members showed a united front, joining fellow protestors in Cardiff Bay. These included members from: Royal College of Nursing, Unite, Unison, NEU, NAHT, and TUC Wales.
Hundreds were at the event, despite the dreary weather, and a number of chants were shouted, including: “Where’s the money?”
A student who was at the protest, and wishes to stay anonymous, told The Cardiff Tab: “People were angry, there was lots of shouting, such as ‘where’s the money?’. There was a big sound system and it was very loud with people chanting in unison. It could be heard from outside the government offices and in the Bay. People had stopped to look and take photos and listen to what they were saying.”
David Wyatt, a reader at Cardiff University, who has worked at the institution for 22 years, told Wales Online: “The axe has fallen on my school and the humanities. I work in the school of history, religion and archaeology. Higher education is transformative and it really makes a difference to communities. If we want to address social cohesion and challenges we should not be making these cuts. I feel angry and sorry for students who won’t have the opportunities now that they did have.
“The mood amongst staff is one of anger, disbelief and incredible upset, amongst me and my colleagues as well.
“We all work very hard and we are committed. In my years working here it isn’t the first time I have faced redundancy but if the political will is there I think we can do this without this level of cuts. I would be willing to strike and my message to students is, you are our future, we are angry and sad for you.”
The National Union of Students (NUS) also showed its support for a strike, if one were to take place, with Deio Owen, the Welsh branch’s president saying: “Striking is not the preferred option obviously but it is a way for unions to show their discontent. We want to see that students are not affected. We would support a strike if absolutely necessary.”
However, this wasn’t the only protest planned in the fight against Cardiff University’s cuts, as nursing staff and students will be protesting on 7th February at the Heath Park Campus at 12pm.
The Cardiff Tab contacted Cardiff University for a comment, and the spokesperson directed us to the vice-chancellor’s statement which can be found here.