A union has warned that staff cuts will “inevitably harm the quality of student provisions at Cardiff University.”
The Cardiff University branch of UNISON released a statement that raised concerns over plans to cut 380 jobs.
Branch Secretary, Katie Hall, said, “There is a lack of transparency and we don’t believe the university is giving the trade unions the full story.”
In an email to staff, the university’s Vice Chancellor, Colin Riordan, announced the job cuts.
In the email, seen by CJS News, Professor Riordan said, “I would like to stress that no compulsory redundancies have been proposed to Council at this stage. However, like all universities, we cannot rule out compulsory redundancies in the future.”
On Twitter today university staff and management have clashed over what the cuts may mean.
The following is clear: No replacement hires when staff leave. Hiring freeze. VSS, with possible compulsory redundancies. No raises, except five-figure performance bonus for VC.
— Professor Karin Wahl-Jorgensen (@KarinWahlJ) February 12, 2019
However, Deputy Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Karen Holford, had this to say.
Just want to correct misperception: there is no hiring freeze, as those recently recruited will confirm. We have recruitment controls. No proposals for compulsory redundancies.
— Karen Holford CBE FREng (@KarenHolford) February 12, 2019
The University posted a deficit of £22.8 million last year after seeing spending rise by 5.2%, whilst its income only rose by 2.5%.
Among the reasons for the cuts, Professor Riordan cites rising staff costs.
He said, “For 2017/18, staff costs were 59.6% of total income, which is the highest percentage in the Russell Group.”
The Russell Group is an influential association of the top 24 universities in the country.
Cardiff University in numbers:
- 6600 staff
- 30,400 students
- £482 million turnover
Source: Russell Group.
