Union announces strikes over university restructure

A union which represents staff at the University of Nottingham has announced it will take strike action over restructuring proposals.

The University and College Union (UCU) said its members would strike on 30 September and 1 October and would then carry out "sustained strike action" from 5 October to 11 December over the Future Nottingham restructuring plans.

The university said its Future Nottingham proposals were about "future-proofing" its institution in response to "increasing challenges" in the sector.

A spokesperson for the University of Nottingham said it was "disappointed" by the timing of industrial action and said many students would be "unaffected" by the strikes.

The university said it was reviewing and considering all Future Nottingham counterproposals to help inform the university's final business case, which would go to its council for a decision in the autumn.

According to the university, the programme could involve programme closures and academic restructure - but stated no decisions had been taken.

Union members from UCU, Unison and Unite voted in July in favour of a motion of no confidence in the vice-chancellor and other senior leaders after a "complete breakdown of trust".

Nick Clare, UCU branch president, said: "We don't want to strike, but staff will not stand by while colleagues lose their jobs and whole areas of teaching and research are dismantled unnecessarily."

The UCU said it was "very open" to talks with management to resolve the issue ahead of the new academic year.

The union said it was calling on the university to rule out compulsory redundancies, the closure of full departments, protect teaching and research, and "engage seriously" with the alternative proposals put forward by staff.

A spokesperson for the University of Nottingham said: "While we recognise employees' right to take industrial action, we are disappointed by the timing of this, which could impact new and returning students at the start of the academic year.

"Many of our students will be unaffected by this action, but we understand that this will cause concern and want to reassure them we have clear procedures and support in place to minimise any disruption.

"All Future Nottingham counterproposals are in the process of being reviewed and considered to help inform the university's final business case, which will go to the university council for a decision in the autumn.

"We are continuing to engage in meaningful discussions with our trade union colleagues as part of this process."

Listen to BBC Radio Nottingham on Sounds and follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.