Staff at Sussex University have voted to go on strike as they try to find ways to save the jobs of hundreds of staff threatened with redundancy.
The University and College Union (UCU) said today (Friday 14 August) that more than four in five staff who voted in a strike ballot backed a walk-out.
The union said: “In a ballot that closed yesterday 81 per cent of UCU members voted in favour of strike action on a turnout of 70 per cent.
“The vote is over management’s threat to cut 200 jobs in plans to save £35 million a year.
“Sussex UCU has put forward proposals to protect jobs and student provision, including allowing staff to volunteer to move part-time and working to bring down the pay of senior management, alongside campaigning to lobby policymakers to invest in the future of higher education.
“Management is now considering the union’s feedback but has already agreed to extend timelines and to consult with staff over voluntarily moving to part time.”
Sussex UCU branch president Jo Pawlik said: “This strong support for strike action shows Sussex staff will fight to protect our jobs and our student provision.
“We hope management now carefully considers the alternative options our members have put forward before pushing ahead with unpopular cuts that would force us on to the picket line.
“UCU members are the university, now more than ever we need to stand together as a union.”
UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “The threatened cuts would cause lasting harm to Sussex’s academic standing and reputation.
“They must be halted. Our members have the full backing of the national union in resisting them.”
