Redundancy backlash: KCL face uni staff strikes

Uni staff facing redundancy have hit back at KCL with planned strike action.

81% of staff polled have voted for strike action, and 89% voted for action short of a walkout, after KCL’s attempts to reduce staff costs in the School of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Psychiatry.

Last month, KCL made the shock announcement that they would cut 120 jobs in order to fund new building projects.

The regional official of the University and College Union (UCU), Barry Jones said: “Staff at King’s have made it absolutely clear what they think of the plans to axe jobs to fund building projects. Sacking over 100 staff will do absolutely nothing for King’s College’s academic reputation.”

The move also follows a petition opposing the redundancies, which has already gathered a whopping 4000 signatures – and a protest organised by KCL students and staff outside the Waterloo Campus.

A spokesperson for King’s College London has defended the university’s plans. They said: “We have ambitious plans to enhance our position as a world-leading university and to meet these objectives we strive for academic excellence and strong performance across all areas, as well as effective management of our costs. In this climate we need a robust strategy to finance our future sustainably.”

KCLSU has clearly shown which side it lies with the use of the hashtag ‘#KCLHealthSOS’ on its website and Facebook page. And the union’s President, Sebastiaan Debrouwere, has openly supported the strike action. He said: “I’m thrilled that staff had the courage to vote for action at this difficult time, and remain hopeful that we can win the argument for a better alternative”.