Cardiff University staff are gearing up for a period of unrest as they voice their discontent over proposed cuts, with threats of a potential “summer of chaos” looming. The members of the Cardiff University’s UCU have voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking action against the institution, starting with a full day strike on May 1, followed by seven additional strike days, unless the university reconsiders its stance on compulsory redundancies. The university had initially announced plans for job cuts, leading to 81 staff opting for redundancy, and a decision to keep the nursing school operational. However, the UCU union insists that these measures are insufficient, as 286 jobs are still slated for elimination, leaving over 1,300 staff members uncertain about their future.
The UCU branch at Cardiff University has indicated that its members have shown strong support for strike action or alternative forms of protest if the university proceeds with enforced redundancies. This could entail a boycott on assessment and marking duties, alongside a series of strike days, in response to what the union characterises as “cruel and unnecessary cuts”. The overwhelming mandate from members, with 83% in favour of strike action and 86% backing other forms of protest, surpasses the legal thresholds required for such actions. The UCU hopes that the university’s leadership will address the staff’s concerns before any disruptive steps are taken.
In a solidarity move, the other campus unions, Unite and Unison, have agreed to support the UCU by instructing their members not to cover the work typically undertaken by those participating in industrial action. The proposed actions, including a one-day strike on May 1, an indefinite assessment boycott starting on May 6, and several additional strike days in May and June, could potentially impact graduation ceremonies, adding to the upheaval caused by the ongoing cuts. The university’s management has been forewarned that failing to accede to staff demands could result in a tumultuous summer for the institution.
Dr Joey Whitfield, the President of Cardiff University’s UCU branch, asserted that while the staff are apprehensive about resorting to industrial action due to its repercussions on students, they feel compelled to do so given the perceived lack of alternatives. The UCU emphasises that job cuts can be averted, as demonstrated by alternative financial proposals put forth to safeguard the institution’s fiscal health without jeopardising hundreds of staff members’ livelihoods. The looming disruptions have drawn mixed reactions from university management, who expressed disappointment over the planned industrial actions, highlighting potential disruptions to students and ongoing consultation processes.
The financial challenges facing Cardiff University, including a projected deficit of over £31 million, have been attributed to various factors such as stagnant domestic fees, a decline in international student enrolments, and escalating operational costs. Amid calls for utilising reserves to mitigate the impact of cuts, an alternative strategy put forward by former education minister Leighton Andrews advocates for a more tempered approach to cost-saving measures. As tensions escalate between university staff and management, the precise form of the impending industrial action, including the marking and assessment boycott scheduled to commence on May 6, remains subject to further deliberation among union members.
As the disagreement intensifies, the university must navigate a delicate balancing act to address the concerns of both staff and students while ensuring the institution’s long-term sustainability. With the prospect of a disruptive summer looming large, negotiations between the university’s executive board and the union take centre stage. The unfolding developments at Cardiff University underscore the wider challenges facing the higher education sector in Wales and beyond, with financial strains and personnel decisions fuelling discontent and uncertainty within academic communities.