Strike action may hit university

Strike action at the University of Gloucestershire is a step closer after the staff union began balloting members.

Crunch talks between education bosses and University and College Union (UCU) representatives last week were described as "positive" by both sides.

However, a meeting with the Vice-Chancellors Advisory Group yesterday (Tues) confirmed compulsory redundancies would still go ahead at the cash-strapped university.

Now UCU members are preparing to ballot on strike action to prevent the loss of lecturers and research staff.

Members are likely to call for the resignation of the university's vice-chancellor Professor Patricia Broadfoot.

A UCU spokesman for the university, which has 270 members, said: "We regret this latest meeting did not endorse a proposal to stop compulsory redundancy.

"This is a serious situation as we will be in an official trade dispute with the employer as of January 1.

"UCU is ready to continue negotiations with the university to try and resolve the situation."

Paul Drake, executive director of external relations at the university said: "It is unfortunate the UCU see the need to ballot for industrial action as the university begins to see the light at the end of the tunnel with a modest positive budget forecast being projected at the year end.

"If UCU members vote for industrial action it will have a damaging affect upon the student experience.

"Management are committed to working with the trade unions to minimise the number of job losses across the university."