The University of Sunderland has begun a formal consultation on redundancies that puts up to 188 posts at risk, in the latest round of job cuts facing the higher education sector.

A joint statement from the university and the recognised trade unions, UCU and UNISON, published on Thursday 6 November, said the first consultation meeting took place on Wednesday 4 November. The statement stressed that 188 is the maximum number of posts potentially at risk, not a final outcome, and that the figure includes a number of fractional contracts.

Consultation meetings will take place weekly through November and into December. The university has confirmed that, following a request from the trade unions, it will not issue any dismissal notices to affected staff in this calendar year.

Voluntary route preferred

As part of the talks, the university has agreed to look at ways of maximising the number of people who leave on a voluntary basis, rather than through compulsory redundancy. Both sides said there was agreement on the need to avoid compulsory redundancies wherever possible.

The consultation will also explore ways of avoiding or reducing redundancies and softening their impact on staff.

A £40 million savings plan

The redundancy consultation follows a formal industrial dispute declared by UCU members in October, after the university announced plans to operate on a budget £40 million lower than its current spending. The union said the plan would require cuts to staff and non-staff costs.

The university has said it is not immune to the pressures facing universities, including rising costs and regulatory and policy changes, and is working with staff to find savings without compromising the student experience.