Ballot for strike action at University of Sheffield opens amid job losse

A union ballot for strike action at the University of Sheffield is now open to staff.

The University and College Union (UCU) says the proposed industrial action is in response to university management’s aim to make £23m in staff cuts over the next two years as part of efforts to regain financial surplus. The UCU believes this may equate to 400 job losses.

A recent voluntary severance scheme targeted professional services staff and academic staff in some departments, which a spokesperson for the university has told The Sheffield Tab this was done to avoid compulsory redundancies and has made “considerable strides” towards the required cost savings.

The ballot for action against job losses began on Monday 24th February and will remain open for five weeks.

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UCU Sheffield branch president Robyn Orfitelli criticised vice-chancellor Koen Lamberts for “an unprecedented amount of disruptive and damaging restructures” during his tenure so far, “with at least 25 formal change management processes in a six year period, impacting hundreds of staff”.

She added: “That is nothing compared to the speed of change he is overseeing right now.

“In just one academic year, we estimate he is placing as many or more staff at risk of losing their jobs than in the entire rest of his tenure. That is unacceptable, and the leadership of this university needs to hold itself accountable for what it is doing to staff, students, and the future of this institution.”

In response, a University of Sheffield spokesperson told The Sheffield Tab: “Like many UK universities, a decrease in international students has affected our income. We have been keeping colleagues and our campus trade unions informed and updated about the financial position and the range of targeted actions we are taking.

“These include reviewing infrastructure projects and reducing spending, alongside carefully managing staff vacancies and offering a voluntary severance scheme to staff to help avoid the need for compulsory redundancies.

“We are firmly committed to supporting our colleagues and continuing to work constructively with our trade unions, whilst protecting our excellent research, teaching and student experience.”

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