Durham University UCU members overwhelmingly back industrial action in the fight against huge job cuts

The ballot result means that staff could now down tools unless management agrees to rule out compulsory redundancies. Members of UCU will now meet to decide and vote upon next steps including the options of strike action and action short of a strike and is calling on Durham University leaders to listen to its workforce, and work with the union to avoid compulsory redundancies and prevent industrial unrest on campus.

The university claims it needs to make cuts due to a shortfall in international student numbers amongst other factors, but UCU said 200 hardworking and dedicated staff should not pay the price for financial mismanagement from those at the top.

Durham UCU Co-president Dr. Sara L. Uckelman said: 'Redundancies are a choice, not a necessity. The employer's refusal to rule out compulsory redundancies leaves us with no option but to undertake industrial action to protect our colleague's jobs, colleagues who provide the backbone infrastructure that allows our university to function smoothly, from providing vital research and teaching support, to taking care of the health and well-being of our students, to filling our libraries, to ensuring that our buildings are kept safe and clean for both staff and students. 

'There is no university without its staff, and we are not prepared to allow the employer to decimate our institution without a fight'.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: 'Our members at Durham have overwhelmingly backed industrial action because they refuse to allow their colleagues to pay the price for management's failure to budget effectively. The vice-chancellor now needs to concentrate on resolving this dispute and avoiding industrial action'.