±¬ÁÏTV

The Sheffield branch of UCU has recently re-balloted its members to seek a further mandate for industrial action beyond March 2026, when its previous mandate expired.  

This latest ballot closed on Thursday (26 March) with 50.44 per cent of UCU members submitting a vote, and just over a third of the total UCU membership voting in favour of strike action. This means that the UCU branch has marginally surpassed the minimum 50 per cent turnout threshold required for the ballot outcome to be deemed valid. 

The outcome is that the local UCU branch is legally able to take strike action and action short of a strike during a 12-month period from 26 March 2026 to 25 March 2027. We have not yet received formal notice of any planned action, but we understand that the branch has plans to commence strike action this semester.

UCU’s latest ballot is again over the risk of compulsory redundancies at the University. 

We remain committed to avoiding compulsory redundancies wherever we possibly can and to making savings through voluntary means wherever possible. This commitment is part of our approach to making changes in a sustainable way to strengthen our University and ensure a sustainable future. The changes we are making are in response to the continued sector-wide financial challenges, most notably a significant reduction in international students.

In anticipation of UCU calling on its members to take industrial action, we are working closely with schools, particularly those in the areas we anticipate will be most affected by industrial action, and we will do everything we can to minimise any potential impact on students across the University. 

Having met with the UCU branch on 18 March, we are meeting again on 16 April to discuss the University’s financial position and latest student recruitment data, as well as further exploring ways we might avoid further industrial action.