More than 250 UNISON members working at London Metropolitan University took part in a further one day strike yesterday (Thursday), because the university’s continuing financial issues have left many facing the threat of redundancy.
This followed a strike on 4 June and action short of a strike earlier this week.
Action short of a strike is also taking place today (Friday), to include a ban on overtime working, not working outside contracted hours, and not covering for leave, sickness or training of colleagues.
Course administrators, IT/media technicians and library staff will be among those walking out.
London Met have proposed the 165 job cuts, claiming that costs need to be reduced after student numbers fell substantially for the second consecutive year. Both academic and support worker posts will be lost under the proposals.
But staff have been shocked by the scale of the cuts, because the university’s finances were thought to have stabilised after a programme of major restructuring and cost-cutting over the last few years.
Max Watson, UNISON branch secretary at London Met said: “The stubborn refusal of senior managers at the university to listen to any reasonable alternatives unfortunately gives us no choice but to take action again.
“There is absolutely no need for any compulsory redundancies. We’ve suggested alternatives which won’t cost a penny to implement, yet managers refuse to listen.
“They seem hell bent on slashing staffing to the bone,” he added. “This has to stop and we will keep on taking action until senior management comes back to the negotiating table.”
UNISON London Region spokesperson Jamie Brown said: “Going on strike is always a last resort, but staff at the university feel they have no other option.
“Members have already taken one day’s action and taking another shows the strength of feeling and determination to defend jobs. Measures to protect staff from compulsory redundancies could easily have been put in place, but senior managers have refused to agree to several options put forward by the unions.”