Essex staff vote to strike over university’s plan to cut 400 jobs

The University of Essex is set to become the latest institution to be hit with industrial action over its plans to cut up to 400 jobs.

Last month, the south-east university announced drastic cost-saving plans that will also see it close its Southend campus next summer following a fall in international student recruitment. The job losses will be made up of about 200 academic roles this year, and followed by the loss of 200 professional service roles over the next two years.

In a ballot of University and College Union members, 85 per cent of participating staff backed strike action, on a turnout of 66 per cent.

Jo Grady, general secretary of UCU, said strike action was “a last resort” for staff at the university and the ballot results show “they have had enough and [are] prepared to fight to save jobs”.

“Decimating the staff body like this is nothing short of academic vandalism. It is impossible to axe one in 10 employees without hurting students and damaging the teaching and research capacity of the university,” she said.

“The proposed closure of Southend campus would devastate the area as it is not only home to hundreds of students but a driver of growth in the local economy. Shutting this campus will devastate Southend and take the heart out of the town. 

“Our members are fighting for their jobs, their students and the community they serve. We urge the university to think again and work with us to save jobs, or face disruption in the coming months.”

The university said in December that it was necessary to consolidate its teaching, research and student services on fewer sites to “enable us to better respond to the significant financial challenges facing the whole UK higher education sector”.

Staff numbers needed to be reduced to “more closely match” the university’s lower student population. 

Analysis by Times Higher Education found that the sector spent £303.3 million on redundancy in 2024-25 alone – up from £177.9 million among the same institutions the year before, and a 71 per cent increase and almost triple the £110.1 million in 2022-23, according to data released in university financial accounts released thus far.

Some 13,300 staff members received severance pay, above predictions by experts that placed potential job losses at 10,000.

An Essex spokesperson said the institution was “committed to doing everything it can to make sure that any industrial action affects our students as little as possible”.  

“The university will remain open on all campuses to support the delivery of education and research. The library, IT and student support services will be available as normal for students, as will on-campus study and recreational facilities.

“The university will continue to work extremely hard to safeguard our students’ learning outcomes and student experience during this time.

“We are aware of the worry the situation may cause, and will be communicating regularly with our students, ensuring they know that support is available, should they need it.” 

juliette.rowsell@timeshighereducation.com