Newcastle University academics can now vote on potential strike action amid financial issues
Newcastle: Academics at Newcastle University are gearing up to vote on a possible strike. This comes as the university faces a hefty £35 million shortfall.
The University and College Union (UCU) members can cast their votes starting today. The ballot will remain open until February 10. A recent consultative ballot showed that 74.6% of members supported the idea of striking.
Tensions have been rising between the university management and the UCU since last October. That’s when the union raised concerns about the university’s budget issues. Emails revealed that the university’s financial troubles stem from a drop in international student numbers.
University leaders informed staff that they’ve already found £15 million in savings. However, they still need to cut another £20 million. This includes freezing promotions and limiting travel to only essential trips.
Professor Matt Perry, chair of the UCU branch at Newcastle, mentioned that the university might have to consider compulsory redundancies. The UCU is also pushing for an independent review of the university’s finances.
Additionally, the union is urging the government to rethink how higher education is funded, criticizing the current system as unsustainable.
A university spokesperson defended their cost-cutting measures, stating that Newcastle is facing the same pressures as other institutions. They emphasized the need to maintain high-quality education and research.
Over the next month, more than 1,000 UCU members will be voting on whether to take industrial action. Last year, Northumbria University avoided a strike by agreeing not to make compulsory redundancies while addressing a £12.5 million deficit.
In 2019, the UCU had already announced strike action at Newcastle University due to disputes over pensions and working conditions.
