Staff at the University of Lincoln have voted resoundingly to strike due to planned cuts to almost 300 jobs across a range of departments. The University and College Union (UCU) disclosed that 86% of voting members backed the strike, with calls for compulsory redundancies to be dismissed. The proposed cuts look set to affect a number of areas, including the history department and the Lincoln International Business School, amongst others.
In response, the University of Lincoln has affirmed that there are plans in place to prevent disruption to teaching and student experience should the strike take place. Despite this, the UCU lambasted the university’s management, attributing the overbearing crisis in the educational sector to poor decision-making and insufficient involvement from academic staff.
Jo Grady, the UCU General Secretary, emphasised the negative impact of continuous cuts on staff spirit and appealed to the university’s leaders to reconsider their position on compulsory redundancies. Grady cautioned that if these issues are not addressed, they will inevitably lead to industrial action.
An official from the University of Lincoln emphasised their dedication to prioritising their students and maintaining meaningful discussions with union representatives. They also restated the university’s goal to meet the dynamic needs of its students, the wider community, and businesses while dealing with the financial issues plaguing UK universities. Last month, a vote of no confidence against the senior leadership team was passed, reflecting increasing disillusionment with the management and decision-making direction of the university.
This story was adapted by The Lincoln Post from original reporting by www.bbc.com.
