Strike action at Cardiff University called off
Strike action at Cardiff University called off
The main union changed its mind after bosses agreed to no compulsory redundancies before the end of 2025
Cardiff University
(Image: Western Mail )
A strike and marking boycott by UCU members at Cardiff University has been called off this afternoon. The UCU Cardiff branch drew back on threats of a walk out and disruption after bosses agreed not to make any compulsory redundancies before the end of the 2025 calendar year.
Joey Whitfield Cardiff UCU President said: "We are really pleased that UCU members and staff at the university have had the threat of compulsory redundancy removed.
"We remained concerned about the future of the university. But we welcome the change in tone and approach and look forward to working more closely with the university in coming weeks." You can get more story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
The university had already said that if staff agree to suspend all industrial action that it would not make any compulsory redundancies of staff connected to the proposed cuts programme before the end of this year. That has now been agreed after talks this afternoon. You can read our story on that here.
The university said it was able to do this because of the number of applications for voluntary redundancy currently received.
The UCU union held an extraordinary general meeting today (Thurs May 1) to discuss this proposal with their members today..
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The university said it will publish an interim timetable next week, showing what happens between the end of the cuts consultation and a meeting of the university council on June 17. You can get more story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
"That council meeting is the point at which we can give a definitive update on plans and their impact on staff and their at-risk status," the university said.
"We want to recognise the very real human impact that the Academic Future project has had, and the level of anxiety felt more broadly across the academic and professional services. Again we have committed to working in partnership together to assess the steps that we can take to ensure that we are looking after the health and wellbeing of our staff."
Members of the UCU had planned a walk out on May 2. That is off as well as the planned indefinite marking and assessment boycott, which could have affected graduations. That had been due to start on May 6.
The university announced proposed sweeping cuts, including entire department closures, in January. Since then it has agreed to consider not closing the school of nursing The initial 350 job losses proposed have also gone down with many staff taking voluntary redundancy.
The UCU and university said they will issue a formal statement later.
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