10 days of strike action begins tomorrow at University of Sheffield International College

Staff will be on picket lines every day of strike action from 8am-12pm outside the campus building on Solley Street.

The full strike days are:

• Week 1: Wednesday 12 and Friday 14 February
• Week 2: Tuesday 18 and Thursday 20 February
• Week 3: Monday 24, Wednesday 26 and Friday 28 February
• Week 4: Tuesday 4 March and Thursday 6 March
• Week 5: Monday 10 March

The strike comes after USIC put 36 staff in the student support and academic teaching teams at risk of redundancy by April 2025. The employer has claimed the cuts are necessary due to a fall in student numbers this academic year, which it says has hit the company's finances, but it has also described the financial situation as a "short-term gap" in communications to staff.

The college is operated by Study Group, which recently signed a new ten year contract with the University of Sheffield, and is located in a University of Sheffield building. Study Group also uses University of Sheffield branding and provides preparation courses for international students who want to go on and study at the university. Students from all over the world enrol to improve their English, study skills and subject knowledge in preparation for their degrees. Courses at USIC can cost students up to £26k per year.  

USIC UCU branch chair Sam Morecroft said: 'USIC management should be ashamed that they are forcing their staff out onto picket lines rather than working with us to save jobs. Our members are prepared to stand firm for all ten days of strike action. Study Group now urgently needs to come to the negotiating table and stop the disruption.'

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: 'Our members at USIC have the full support of their national union in fighting against this callous attack on their jobs. Management must now remove the threat of compulsory redundancies and resolve the dispute.'