University of East Anglia’s plans to cut another 170 jobs ‘are sure to hit the student experience’, UNISON warns today.
The union, which represents professional services staff such as cleaners, caterers and admin says staff are already struggling after more than 400 posts went last year.
The entire learning and teaching department is affected with 43% of staff at risk of redundancy says UNISON. The department is responsible for student engagement and advice as well as supporting the delivery of courses and modules.
Staff helping postgraduate researchers and studying abroad are also at risk the union warns.
UNISON UEA branch secretary Amanda Chenery-Howes said: “Professional services staff are the operational backbone of the university but they’re being treated as little more than numbers on a spreadsheet.
“Staff have been going over and above to protect services but these cuts are sure to hit the student experience – you can’t lose nearly 600 jobs over two years and maintain the same standards.
“UEA must commit to not making any compulsory redundancies and do everything possible to stop further running down the university, our staff must not be made to bear the brunt of the executive team’s mismanagement”