UCU announces results of industrial action ballot against the cuts at Cardiff University

Cardiff UCU has announced the results of its industrial action ballot against the cuts at Cardiff University.

Cardiff University staff have voted in favour of industrial action in response to job and course cuts proposed by university management.

In a show of resistance, 83 per cent backed strike action and 86 per cent supported further disruptive measures, including an assessment boycott, in a ballot with over 64 per cent turnout of UCU members.

This comes as 1,400 staff have been told they’re “in scope” for redundancy.

The cuts, described as “cruel and unnecessary” by the University and College Union (UCU), could see entire departments axed, including nursing, modern languages, music, and ancient history. Management insists the move is necessary to balance the books, but UCU argues the university is sitting on £188 million in cash reserves that could be used to avoid redundancies. Something the university has denied.

Welsh music legend, Dafydd Iwan, has also backed the staff’s fight to save jobs and courses, warning that the cuts threaten the future of higher education in Wales.

He said: “As a fellow of three Welsh universities, I am very worried about the tremendous squeeze on their funding these days. The future of Wales depends to a large extent on having viable and progressive Universities to serve them.

“I send this message of support to everyone who is campaigning to protect Cardiff University’s jobs and courses and standards, for the benefit of students and staff, and for the benefit of the future of our nation.”

Strikes could disrupt graduations

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With staff refusing to back down, UCU members will meet this week to decide on the next steps, which could include full-scale strikes and an assessment boycott that may throw student graduations into chaos this summer.

UCU members during a previous strike outside the Senedd via X

Cardiff University UCU branch president Dr Joey Whitfield said: “This ballot result shows Cardiff staff are utterly opposed to the cruel and unnecessary cuts management are trying to force through. It’s time for Cardiff University leaders to listen to staff, and the huge amount of public, political, cultural, and community support we have built, before they further damage the University’s tattered reputation.

“They must use the University’s £188m of available cash to fund a more cautious and evidence-based approach to improving our finances without destroying our members’ lives. Industrial action is always difficult, and always a last resort, but if the University doesn’t negotiate and row back on its disastrous plans we will be left with no choice.”

Anger over the university’s Kazakhstan plans

Adding fuel to the fire, staff and students have slammed Cardiff University for pushing ahead with plans to establish a new campus in Kazakhstan, while cutting jobs and courses at home.

UCU General Secretary Dr Jo Grady echoed these concerns, urging Cardiff’s vice-chancellor to focus on saving jobs at home rather than funding overseas expansion.

Dr Jo Grady said: “Cardiff staff are furious at the university’s refusal to work with UCU to avoid these swingeing cuts. The vice-chancellor now needs to concentrate on resolving this dispute and avoiding strike action at home before thinking about opening up a new campus in Kazakhstan.”

A Cardiff University spokesperson said: “This is disappointing as industrial action will inevitably cause disruption for some of our students.

“We will do everything we can to minimise its impact. It is important to stress that this action will not impact the whole University. The University will remain open and in many areas teaching, research and services will be unaffected.

“We recognise that these are extremely difficult and challenging times. However, it is important to stress that our proposals remain subject to an on-going 90-day consultation. They aim to secure the long-term future of the University and we’d urge UCU, and our other campus unions, to continue to work with us.”