Staff members at the University of Lincoln in the UK are going on strike this Friday. This protest is happening because the university might make some employees lose their jobs. The university says they are trying to avoid that, but the staff union wants clearer promises.
Why Are Staff Protesting?
The University and College Union (UCU), which represents the workers, says the university has not clearly said they won’t force anyone to leave.
That’s why they’re taking action. On Friday, UCU members will form a picket line and talk to visitors on campus during an open day for new students. They want people to know why they are upset.
How Many Jobs Are Affected?
The university earlier said that as many as 285 jobs might be cut. These jobs are in different departments, including the Lincoln International Business School and the history department.
However, the university later said this number is the “worst case scenario” and they are trying to reduce job losses.
What Are the Concerns?
Dr Owen Clayton, who leads the local UCU branch, said the university claims it needs to make these cuts for financial reasons. But at the same time, he says the university is hiring new staff in other areas and even creating new departments.
Dr Clayton also said the university wants to increase class sizes to save money, something the university denies.
What Does the University Say?
The University of Lincoln says it is trying to change with the times. It wants to focus on areas where more students are interested, like healthcare.
They say this will help train more people to work in the NHS (the UK’s national health service). The university also said it has already made some changes to save money, and wants to avoid forcing anyone out.
What’s the Bigger Picture?
Like many other universities in the UK, Lincoln is facing big challenges. Fewer international students, rising costs, and new policies have made things harder financially.
This is why many universities are looking for ways to save money, and sadly, jobs are often the first to be looked at.