Further strike action at Newcastle University as staff protest proposed job cuts

University and College Union (UCU) representatives will rally at Newcastle University tomorrow in protest against job cuts. 

Picketing and strikes will continue for seven more weeks, with tomorrow marking the 37th day of strike action.

This comes as disagreements between UCU and Newcastle University continue over “over management’s threat to start forcing staff out” which is set to begin next month, July 21st.

Strikes are set to span across all weekdays from Tuesday 4th 6th June to Thursday 17th July, in addition to Saturday the 28th June. 

This is in response to announcements of intentions to cut a further 38 jobs, on top of the 257 members of staff that have already taken voluntary severance. 

The rally tomorrow will begin at 12.30pm, with speeches from UCU general secretary Jo Grady, Trades Union Congress deputy general secretary Kate Bell and Fire Brigades Union regional secretary Karl Wager.

Increasingly, universities have had to rely on the higher fees of international students to boost their budgets, a tactic that is failing as the border controls instituted by the government decrease international numbers. 

Academics, lecturers, researchers and administrators at Newcastle University have faced wage cuts and loss of jobs as a result of the £20 million budget deficit announced last September (five per cent of its total pay budget). This has increased the workload on remaining staff and decreased the quality of education received by students paying fees that are increasingly difficult to manage.

A total of 60 days have been penciled out for strike action if management persists with cuts, following a dispute over the university’s claim that it needs to axe over 300 jobs due to a shortfall in international student numbers.

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UCU claims that management has “already cancelled promotions, restricted travel and asked staff to quit the institution through a voluntary severance scheme”.

A statement by the organisation also referred to the institutions new accommodation, which it is currently in the process of building: “Meanwhile, the university is building new halls of residence costing £274m and looking to open a campus in India, with the vice-chancellor speaking at an event in Delhi earlier this year. ”

The university confirmed it is currently exploring potential partnerships and that it will only proceed with opportunities that will strengthen its financial position.

The development of Castle Leazes is also a joint venture with a private partner and has been in Newcastle University’s business plans for several years, said to generate revenue once its completed.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “Altogether, Newcastle University staff are set to walkout for over 60 days. They are only taking this unprecedented level of strike action because management’s cuts would cause unprecedented disruption. UCU members, students and trade unionists from across the UK will join them at our rally because they refuse to stand by while senior managers try to make their own staff the shock absorbers for their financial mismanagement.”

A Newcastle University spokesperson said: “The university, like others across the UK, is looking to reduce staff costs to secure our long-term future and remain world-leading. We’re aiming to keep all areas of research and education and are talking with our staff and trade unions to avoid compulsory redundancies. We’re supporting our staff during this challenging time.”