Staff to protest over plans to cut 65 jobs at University of Portsmouth

Staff will be demonstrating from 8.00am outside the St Andrew's Court building, where the university's executive board will be meeting to discuss the planned job cuts.

The university recently announced the redundancies of up to 65 staff as part of a restructure of the faculty of science. UCU said students would ultimately be hit hardest by the loss of experienced staff. It said that the strong link between teaching and research had always been one of the university's strengths and was central to its gold Tef status.

UCU also criticised the university's approach to the job cuts, saying it was unacceptable that it had refused to consider a voluntary redundancy scheme for staff, or to rule out compulsory redundancies.

The union said it was also calling on members who attend graduation ceremonies on a voluntary basis not to do so. It added that further action could be on the cards if the university does not reconsider its plans.

UCU regional official, Moray McAuley, said: 'This decision to cut experienced staff will ultimately hit students the hardest. The link between teaching and research has always been one of the university's strengths and is central to its gold Tef status.

'The university's refusal to allow voluntary redundancies or rule out compulsory redundancies is also totally unacceptable. Staff are understandably angry, so we urge the university to address their concerns and swiftly commit to a voluntary scheme or further action could be on the cards.'