Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) plan to slash hundreds of academic jobs leaving staff ‘furious’ and ‘forced to strike’.
University and College Union (UCU) members at SHU said that 225 jobs will be cut, with up to 80 staff members confronted with compulsory redundancy.
An anonymous member of the UCU said that the university have made several ‘selfish and poor’ financial decisions that will ‘jeopardise academic standards’.
Another UCU member said: “The university has completely attacked working conditions.
“We are left with no choice but to take strike action.”
Sheffield Hallam said it was ‘disappointed’ with the staff voting to strike.
Jo Grady, general secretary of the UCU said: “They would see teaching, research and academic standards torn to shreds.”
Ms Grady said that the university has taken on plans for new buildings followed with large debts instead of spending money on keeping staff satisfied and employed.
In a statement SHU said that these building plans were ‘necessary’ for the university campus in order to “ensure that the university continues to be an attractive place to study.”
A spokesperson for Sheffield Hallam University said that these issues are following the voluntary severance scheme they underwent last December causing 140 staff to leave.
A ex-member of staff at SHU said: “It is not only disappointing for staff who have contributed to the university, but also for the students education that will be impacted by the scheme.”
“The decision is out of our control, rising pressures of inflation, pension costs, and adaptations to visa rules that now restrict our international recruitment are all factors that contribute,” the spokesperson added.
SHU said that back in March they initially sent out 120 redundancy letters to staff, but in early April new job roles have been put at risk for more members of staff.
The strike action will continue until May 22.