Plans by Sheffield Hallam University to cut 425 jobs will be deeply damaging to staff and students, says UNISON today (Wednesday).
Around 200 clerical, professional and technical staff posts including in catering and student support are under threat at the university, in addition to 225 previously declared academic posts.
Sheffield Hallam has blamed the planned redundancies on what it describes as a ‘lower demand for services’ and ‘changes in work methods or organisation’.
However, UNISON says such drastic cuts would have a negative impact on the university’s students and increase pressure on the remaining employees.
The union also understands the university is also planning to lose a further 200 professional services posts later in the year.
The news of the redundancies comes just weeks after the University of Huddersfield announced plans to cut almost 200 jobs.
UNISON says funding is needed urgently to help universities who are facing financial pressures, rather than staff having to pay the price.
UNISON Yorkshire and Humberside regional organiser Vikki Garratty said: “Sheffield Hallam must think again and do its utmost to explore every possible alternative to job cuts.
“Universities are facing a financial crisis but staff shouldn’t have to pay the price. Redundancies also have a damaging impact on students and on the city.”
UNISON Sheffield Hallam University branch secretary Dan Bye said: “If these cuts go ahead, it won’t just mean hundreds of staff losing their jobs. The workloads of remaining staff will drastically increase.
“Such significant changes will inevitably affect the students at the university. It’s unfair on them and on workers. The university must look at other options.”
