Union members at the University of Bradford will walk out for the first two weeks of the new academic year in a bid to save jobs.?

Bradford¡¯s University and College Union (UCU) announced a 10-day strike between 22 September and 3 October, following previous walkouts in June, July and August.

The dispute centres around planned cuts that could see the closure of chemistry and film and television courses.

According to the UCU, nine professors and 47 full-time equivalent lecturers from the School of Chemistry and Biomedical Sciences and the School of Built Environment, Architecture and Creative Industries remain at risk of compulsory redundancy.

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The union suggested these staff could instead have their work redirected into existing areas where workload is excessive, ¡°reducing overwork and saving jobs in one move¡±.

The UCU said these cuts are particularly significant as Bradford is a Unesco City of Film and a UK City of Culture, and that the chemistry department has successful apprenticeship programmes that are ¡°crucial¡± for the regional economy.

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The union added that the university is also continuing to identify other non-academic areas where it can cut jobs, with technicians the latest group of staff affected. It said these employees ¡°perform a vital role in keeping specialist areas like labs running¡±.

Jo Grady, general secretary of the UCU, said: ¡°Management needs to listen to the voices of its staff, rethink the cuts and rule out compulsory redundancies.

¡°It is now for the employer to decide if the university wants to avoid disruption to students at the beginning of the new academic year.¡±

The strike action comes with the backing of 82 per cent of union members on a turnout of 57 per cent. The union has warned the university to rule out compulsory redundancies or face continued disruption.

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Staff will hold pickets every day from 8am till 12pm, with a rally also planned on 22 September.

In response, Bradford said it was trying to make savings in response to sector-wide financial challenges and would work with unions to avoid or minimise compulsory redundancies where possible.

A spokesperson added: ¡°We appreciate this is a difficult time for many at the university and we will continue to offer support to our staff.

¡°We will also endeavour to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum and protect the student experience.¡±

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Union members at other universities including Edinburgh, Nottingham and Leicester are also taking strike action in the first weeks of the new academic year.

patrick.jack@timeshighereducation.com