The University and College Union (UCU) today said its members had faced down Northumbria University management's plans to force through compulsory redundancies for academic staff.
In an announcement to staff today, which comes after UCU began balloting for strike action last week, Northumbria's vice chancellor said the university would "formally rule out the possibility of compulsory redundancies" for academic staff.
UCU declared an industrial dispute earlier this month and opened a strike ballot after management previously refused to rule out such job cuts as part of a planned reduction in 'staff costs.' It welcomed the change of position from Northumbria management and said its branch is consulting members with a recommendation to end the dispute.
The union said the abandonment of compulsory redundancy plans for academic staff was a testament to the strength of its members' industrial organising, and that vice chancellors elsewhere should take note that their plans for job cuts will be fiercely opposed.
UCU general secretary, Jo Grady said: "This is a testament to the strength of our branch at Northumbria, who have faced down a threat to the jobs of academic staff. It should serve as a warning to vice chancellors planning similar job cuts across the country: our members will not pay the price for financial mismanagement and a failed funding model. We will be tireless in organising, industrially and politically, to defend jobs."
