'Disaster plan' to cut jobs will 'destroy' university, say staff as strike begins

DOZENS TAKE TO PICKET LINES AGAINST PLANS TO CUT 256 JOBS. OSCAR FISHER REPORTS

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Striking staff outside the University of Derby's new Cavendish Building on Ford Street

STAFF have taken to the picket line in response to University of Derby proposals which could see more than 250 workers made redundant.

Strike action was voted for last month by the University and College Union (UCU) as its members continue to call for the university to reconsider the plans.

Demonstrations were held on Tuesday and saw protesters gather outside the campuses on Kedleston Road and Markeaton Street, and outside the new Cavendish building on Ford Street.

The University of Derby says it is “disappointed” that UCU members are striking, saying it has taken “particular care” to ensure students are not impacted by proposed changes.

The UCU says consultations between them are supposed to bring other opportunities to divert redundancies and save jobs, but UCU membership secretary Charlotte Clewlow said she believes it “doesn’t feel like any of these consultations are being done in good faith”.