Union members criticize ‘draconian’ management of Huddersfield University amid latest redundancies

Union members at the University of Huddersfield have expressed their outrage at another wave of job cuts which will see almost 200 staff made redundant.

The university plans to lay off almost 12% of its total workforce to deal with the “financial crisis in the university sector”. Members of the Huddersfield University and College Union (UCU) – a union representing academic staff – have expressed frustration and concern over the quality of teaching and staff morale.

As well as the redundancies, several courses are facing the axe, with others set to be ‘suspended’. Those to be affected include BA degrees in sociology, geography and mathematics and MSci in health and social work. An open letter opposing the University’s plans has been sent by a number of second-year students in Geography and Analytical and Environmental Sciences courses to Vice-Chancellor Professor Bob Cryan.

Read more: Two in court charged with firearms and drugs offenses after Grimethorpe eviction

UCU Branch President Dr Gary Allen and Branch Secretary Dr Anna Zueva told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “Redundancies in Huddersfield have become an annual event – this is the fourth summer running place.

“The current rush is the largest the University has experienced. The vice chancellor announced the need to eliminate 12% of the workforce. With few exceptions, the cuts will affect all areas of the university, both academic and administrative.

“The unions estimate that around 200 people will lose their jobs at the end of the process. No voluntary scheme is offered, so staff leaving will only receive statutory compensation.”

The pair argued that while UCU and UNISON acknowledge there are external factors at play, namely tuition fees for home students which have remained static for years and a decline in international recruitment in the UK higher education sector, the University is in a “favorable financial position. ” which would allow it to reduce staffing costs at a slower pace.

They continued: “(The university) is debt-free, has tens of millions of cash in the bank and around £90m in short-term investments. A more gradual approach would help the University protect its reputation, support staff morale and retain the best academic and administrative expertise.

“This will also mean that Huddersfield students can continue to receive the excellent teaching and support they now receive.”

Union members also believe that staffing costs will be gradually reduced through “natural attrition” of staff in the form of resignations, retirements, voluntary redundancy schemes, options to switch to part-time contracts when necessary, as well as a recruitment and curriculum freeze. management.

Pay and treatment of staff are also contentious for UCU members who have accused University management of “living up to their draconian reputation”. They claim staff who “work under contract” – refusing to work overtime without pay – were threatened with 100% pay cuts during a period of industrial action last year.

Adding further fuel to the fire is Vice-Chancellor Cryan’s £18,000 pay rise, shown in the University’s accounts for the year ending 31 July 2023. This took the Vice-Chancellor’s compensation package to £426,000 a year.

A paper published last year by the Higher Education Policy Institute think tank found Prof Cryan to be one of the highest paid vice-chancellors in the country.

The University’s accounts for 2022/23 also show a £100,000 increase in costs for the most senior staff or “key management staff”.

Drs Allen and Zueva claim they were told by University HR that these increases were due to the “cost of living”.

On the same page of the accounts, it explains how the Vice-Chancellor’s salary is set and states that the University’s Remuneration Policy recognizes that “the University’s performance depends on the quality and commitment of its workforce”.

I put this to the University and asked how staff are expected to be of high quality and engaged when frequent rounds of layoffs have many worried about their job security.

LDRS also asked the University how it is justifying the vice-chancellor’s pay rise and how it hopes to inspire confidence in current and prospective students and staff in light of the announcement of mass redundancies and course cuts. We have also asked for comment on the UCU’s claims regarding contract labour.

The university did not directly answer any of these questions. Instead, it offered a blanket statement about the pressures universities face in the current financial climate and the institution’s “unwavering commitment to educational excellence.”

A University spokesman said: “Since 2012, UK undergraduate tuition fees have risen by just 2.8%, from £9,000 to £9,250, despite inflation rising by more than 50% . This precipitated a financial crisis in the university sector.

“We are now among the 40% of universities facing budget deficits in 2023/24, further exacerbated by a 44% sector-wide drop in international student numbers in January 2024 as a result of changes to government immigration policy . Rising staff costs, particularly in pension contributions, are further straining our budget.

“Despite these challenges, our University has shown resilience, maintaining high standards with TEF Gold and Ofsted Outstanding awards and creating research partnerships with many of the top 100 universities globally.

“We contribute around £300 million a year to the local economy, underscoring our crucial economic role. We have previously initiated restructuring and voluntary schemes to deal with sector-wide financial pressures but, like many universities, now need to implement a program of transformational change.

“This includes reducing our workforce by 12% to ensure financial sustainability and prepare for a challenging future where tuition fees and immigration policy are unlikely to change.

“Our commitment to educational excellence remains unwavering as we adapt to these economic realities. Our strategies, while challenging, are essential to continuing to deliver world-class education and research and to play a significant role in regional employment and economic growth.

“This strategic pivot is not just a response to immediate challenges, but a proactive effort to ensure a dynamic and sustainable future for our university.”

Get all the latest and breaking Huddersfield news straight to your inbox Sign up for our daily newsletter here.