UCU welcomes posts saved at Plymouth University, but warns on 'unrealistic workloads'

The union said it was pleased that the threat of compulsory redundancies had been lifted, but warned that current staff could not be expected to shoulder the burden of work left by the loss of 42 lecturers through voluntary redundancies.

'The loss of 42 lecturers represents a significant reduction in the number of academic posts... It is unrealistic and unworkable to expect the remaining staff to take on greater workloads'.
Dr Mike Sheaff,
Plymouth UCU

The University of Plymouth has spent the past five months seeking ways to shed 223 jobs - about 6.5 per cent of its workforce - in an attempt to cut costs by £10million. UCU has repeatedly appealed to the management not to axe posts which it believes are vital in providing students with high quality teaching.

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'It is really good news for staff and students at the University of Plymouth that the threat of compulsory redundancies has been removed, but it is highly regrettable that other staff have been encouraged to leave. Getting rid of jobs only damages a university in the long term, and it is important that institutions do not fall in to the habit of squeezing departments whenever there is a budget shortfall.'

Dr Mike Sheaff, who teaches at the University of Plymouth, and is UCU branch chair, said: 'We are delighted there will be no compulsory redundancies. This has been a long time coming and it has been a period of considerable anxiety and uncertainty for staff. We are sad, though, that the university looked for so many voluntary redundancies.

'The loss of 42 lecturers represents a significant reduction in the number of academic posts and we will have to work hard to make sure that standards are maintained. It is unrealistic and unworkable to expect the remaining staff to take on greater workloads following the departure of their colleagues.'