Cardiff University staff have voted to walk out or take action short of strike in protest at threatened compulsory job cuts. The action could mean an assessment boycott and disrupt this summer's graduations.

More than 1,000 staff have been warned their jobs are at risk with 355 academic posts earmarked to go in brutal savings proposed by the university including closures of academic schools and degree courses. A total 83% backed strike action, and 86% backed action short of a strike up to and including an assessment boycott, in a ballot that saw more than 64% of Cardiff UCU members vote.

The ballot result means that UCU members could now walk out unless the university management agrees to rule out compulsory redundancies. Staff will meet this week to decide the next steps including the options of strike action and action short of a strike which could disrupt student graduations next term, the UCU warned. You can read the latest on the cuts and how 1,000 Cardiff University staff have been warned their jobs are still at risk here.

Cardiff University proposed cuts

• 355 academic roles at risk
• Degree courses and academic schools including nursing, modern languages, music, ancient history, translation, religion, and theology are proposed for closure
• The proposals have been brought forward among rising costs and a decrease in international student applications
• The university is said to be in a £31m-plus deficit in its current financial year
• The university has said it cannot rule out compulsory redundancies

Cardiff University UCU branch president Dr Joey Whitfield said: “This ballot result shows Cardiff staff are utterly opposed to the cruel and unnecessary cuts management are trying to force through. It’s time for Cardiff University leaders to listen to staff, and the huge amount of public, political, cultural, and community support we have built, before they further damage the university’s tattered reputation.

"They must use the university’s £188m of available cash to fund a more cautious and evidence-based approach to improving our finances without destroying our members’ lives. Industrial action is always difficult, and always a last resort, but if the university doesn’t negotiate and row back on its disastrous plans we will be left with no choice.” You can get more story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.

UCU general secretary Dr Jo Grady said: “Cardiff staff are furious at the university’s refusal to work with UCU to avoid these swingeing cuts. The vice-chancellor now needs to concentrate on resolving this dispute and avoiding strike action at home before thinking about opening up a new campus in Kazakhstan.”

A Cardiff University spokesman said: “This is disappointing as industrial action will inevitably cause disruption for some of our students. We will do everything we can to minimise its impact.

"It is important to stress that this action will not impact the whole university. The university will remain open and in many areas teaching, research, and services will be unaffected.

"We recognise that these are extremely difficult and challenging times. However it is important to stress that our proposals remain subject to an on-going 90-day consultation. They aim to secure the long-term future of the university and we’d urge UCU, and our other campus unions, to continue to work with us.”

The strike ballot follows a highly critical report form academics across the university in response to the cuts plans. You can read more about that here.

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