University in dispute hits out at union 'open day'

Staff and students fighting cuts at a West Midlands university are holding "an alternative open day" to raise awareness of the dispute.

The University and College Union (UCU) has claimed 340 jobs are at risk and called for cuts of £100m to be made in a "a less damaging way", but the figures have been disputed by Coventry University.

A university spokesman said the union's open day was a protest rally "deliberately targeting prospective students at the university's open day on 15 March".

The BBC understands the university has proposed the reduction of 92 full-time academic posts and removal of about 200 university roles.

Anne O'Sullivan, from the UCU, said the alternative open day had been set up to "showcase the best of Coventry University", including speakers, artists and activists.

She said staff whose jobs are at risk have been told they could apply for jobs at a subsidiary company - but she claimed they would lose pay progression and benefits and have to work longer hours.

Ms O'Sullivan said cuts were being blamed on a drop in international students, but added: "They were over-reliant on that income stream. Other institutions didn't put all their eggs in one basket."

She said the union remained in consultation with the university but industrial action was being considered.

The university said it was with "significant disappointment that we have learned of UCU's intention to hold a protest rally deliberately targeting prospective students".

A spokesperson sad that it respected the right to legitimate protest but was concerned this was "an extraordinary act of self-harm by the union given the clear link between student numbers, revenue and our ability to protect employment".

The university was not "firing and rehiring", but creating new roles focused on teaching and student contact, without the expectations of research and innovation that come with traditional academic lecturer roles, he added.

He said student numbers and jobs had grown, but the student-staff ratio had to be rebalanced.

The sector was facing numerous challenges relating to Brexit, UK tuition fees, pension contributions and policies on international students, the spokesperson explained.

But he added: "We have never posted a deficit of £100m."

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