Staff at the University of Essex have been banned from demonstrating on the campus against sweeping cutbacks, says UNISON today.
The unions says bosses have warned employees they cannot protest on the university site against plans to slash 400 jobs and to close the Southend campus.
Staff and students are holding a rally tomorrow to coincide with an open day at the the Colchester campus to highlight the cuts to prospective students and parents.
But acting deputy vice-chancellor Professor Neil Kellard has written to UNISON and University and College Union to say staff are “not allowed to undertake any activity related to [their] protest on the campus”.
UNISON says the cost-cutting measures proposed by the University of Essex will undermine the quality of classes and leave students without proper support for their studies.
Demonstrators will gather from 9am outside the Colchester Road entrance to raise the alarm about the cuts.
UNISON Eastern regional officer Caroline Hennessy said: “The University of Essex is a fantastic place to study, the facilities are excellent and the staff are dedicated to the students.
“Yet university leaders are threatening the quality of the education provided. These cuts will tarnish the institution’s reputation and affect its ability to provide a decent student experience.
“The university should be listening to the concerns of staff and students. But instead bosses are trying to silence dissent and denying staff the right to protest on campus. They must change course and act to protect the university’s future while there’s still time.”