Sheffield University staff back strike action in dispute over 1,000 jobs at risk

The dispute centres on the university's intention to slash staffing costs by £23 million over the next two years. In November 2024, the Vice Chancellor announced plans to cut £9 million in staffing costs in 2025 and a further £14 million in 2026. Relatedly, the university recently launched its 'New Schools' proposal, which has involved reducing the number of academic departments from 45 to 21 and restructuring Professional Services staff across all schools.

The proposals affect 796 staff and could lead to at least 50 compulsory redundancies during this academic year alone. Four further restructures are also being carried out in key areas, including Postgraduate Research, Employability, Digital Learning, and Faculty Finance and an additional review is underway to consider the future structure of IT Services. These plans follow over 300 staff having already exited the university under a Voluntary Severance Scheme at the end of 2024.

In the industrial action ballot, 74% of UCU members who voted backed strike action, on a turnout of 57%. The university's UCU branch has said the dispute could be resolved if management commits to no compulsory redundancies and significantly scales back the proposed staffing cuts. Staff have raised serious concerns over the pace and scale of the changes and do not believe the university has adequately justified its timeline for returning to a financial surplus.

UCU General Secretary Jo Grady said: 'Staff at Sheffield have sent a clear message that they are willing to take industrial action to protect their jobs and the future of their university. These cuts are too deep, too fast, and put vital student support and academic provision at risk. Management must now step back from the brink, halt compulsory redundancies, and enter serious negotiations with us to find a better way forward'.