University staff to walk out again in job cuts row

STRIKE action among academics at Newcastle University is set to begin again today amid fears of job cuts.

- AUSTEN SHAKESPEARE

The University and College Union (UCU) has confirmed that members will be walking out today, Thursday and Friday as the dispute enters a new round of industrial action. A press release from the UCU claims university chiefs will consider next Wednesday whether to proceed with compulsory redundancies.

The institution maintains no decisions have been made at this time. The first round of strikes lasted 14 days throughout March, brought on by the UCU over the university’s plan to cut £20m in its wage bill.

The cuts were signed off after the university suffered a £35m funding shortfall last year due to a national decline in international students.