Staff at Durham University have voted to take three additional days of strike action in their ongoing dispute over the university’s refusal to rule out compulsory redundancies, the University and College Union (UCU) has announced.
The strikes will take place on Friday 13, Saturday 14, and Thursday 19 June 2025.
The decision follows the university’s rejection of a clear proposal from UCU negotiators last week. The union had offered to recommend a pause in further strike action, under the current industrial action mandate running until Tuesday 30 September 2025, if the university agreed to guarantee no compulsory redundancies until the end of the calendar year. Management declined.
Durham UCU members overwhelmingly backed industrial action earlier this year in opposition to the University’s plan to slash £15m from professional services staff, raising fears of forced job losses. While the university claims to have saved £14m through voluntary measures, it refuses to formally rule out compulsory redundancies to cover the remaining £1m shortfall.
In voting to notify the strike dates, the branch stated that the employer ‘refuses to negotiate and consult in good faith with the campus trade unions.’ They cited the employer’s continued refusal to rule out compulsory redundancies for any length of time, and their refusal to provide financial information for meaningful consultation. A spokesperson said ‘you don’t get to ride roughshod over your staff and treat them with contempt when they object. Actions have consequences.’
UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: ‘Durham University’s refusal to rule out compulsory redundancies is an act of needless hostility. Staff have already made huge sacrifices to deliver the vast majority of savings through voluntary means. All that remains is a small gap that could easily be managed without threatening jobs. Instead of offering reassurance, management has chosen provocation.
‘Our members will not stand by while livelihoods hang in the balance. The ball is in the university’s court, it can stop these strikes at any time by making a simple commitment to avoid compulsory job losses.’