Durham Uni staff vote for further strike action over job cut row
Durham UCU members ‘overwhelmingly’ backed industrial action earlier this year in opposition to the university's plan to slash £15m from professional services staff
Durham University staff have voted to take three additional days of strike action amid an ongoing dispute over the university’s refusal to rule out compulsory redundancies.The strikes are set to take place on Friday 13, Saturday 14, and Thursday 19 June 2025.
The University and College Union (UCU) said the decision follows the university’s “rejection of a clear proposal” from the union’s negotiators last week.
The union had offered to recommend a pause in further strike action, under the current industrial action mandate running until 30 September 2025, if the university agreed to guarantee no compulsory redundancies until the end of the calendar year. Management declined, according to the union.
Durham UCU members “overwhelmingly” backed industrial action earlier this year in opposition to the university’s plan to slash £15m from professional services staff, raising fears of forced job losses.
UCU said that while the university claims to have saved £14m through voluntary measures, it “refuses to formally rule out compulsory redundancies” to cover the remaining £1m shortfall.
UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “Durham University’s refusal to rule out compulsory redundancies is an act of needless hostility. Staff have already made huge sacrifices to deliver the vast majority of savings through voluntary means. All that remains is a small gap that could easily be managed without threatening jobs. Instead of offering reassurance, management has chosen provocation.
“Our members will not stand by while livelihoods hang in the balance. The ball is in the university’s court, it can stop these strikes at any time by making a simple commitment to avoid compulsory job losses.”