Staff at Cardiff Metropolitan University have called on the institution to use money from the Welsh government to alleviate the threat of compulsory redundancies.

Up to 61 members of staff are set to lose their jobs at the Welsh provider, with more than 100 at risk, according to the University and College Union. The university said it expects between 30 and 50 full time equivalent roles to leave through compulsory redundancy and it was “actively working to mitigate this wherever possible”.

It is the second university in the Welsh capital to be forced into making job cuts by a worsening financial situation. Cardiff University has recently scaled back on its job savings target from an initial target of 400, down to 138, on top of those staff members who have already taken voluntary severance.

In response to the crisis, the Welsh government has made an additional £19 million available for estates maintenance and digital projects.

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Cardiff Metropolitan got £1.73 million of this but the University and College Union (UCU) said that the university was yet to show how the additional money had been allocated.

UCU Wales official Gareth Lloyd said it was “disappointing” that the university had not removed the threat of compulsory redundancies despite the additional funding.

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“The minister for [further education] and [higher education] made it clear that the additional cash should be used to cover operating costs and take pressure off staff budgets.

“Whilst we are keen to work in partnership and find solutions, compulsory redundancies constitute a red line which cannot be crossed. When it comes to saving money, we will never let managers see our members’ jobs as the path of least resistance.”

UCU – which is set to hold a rally against the cuts on 22 May – said staff morale was at “rock bottom”. A branch spokesperson added: “We realise that these are tough times for universities but cutting front-line staff is not the way forward.

“We have met with all of the members at risk, and the institutional loss of academic knowledge would be substantial.”

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A Cardiff Met spokesperson said it was “working hard to safeguard its long-term financial sustainability in the face of changing contexts for higher education in the UK”.

They added that “we are doing this so that we can continue to make a positive difference to individuals and communities in Wales and the wider world through our progressive and distinctive teaching, research and innovation”.

“We know that this is an uncertain and difficult time for all staff, and especially for those who are directly affected,” the spokesperson added.

“We value the relationship that we have with our recognised trades unions and the contribution that they make to our university, and we fully respect the rights of trades unions to act on behalf of their members. We are committed to open, constructive dialogue and will continue working closely with all recognised trade unions and their representatives throughout this challenging period.”

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In further job cuts news, the UCU branch at Kingston University has begun balloting on strike action over the provider’s plans to implement £20 million in savings, which would see its humanities department, and courses in the department of criminology, sociology and politics, close. 

A voluntary severance scheme is open to staff, but UCU said it fears that compulsory redundancy is also on the cards and that a further nine departments are at risk. 

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juliette.rowsell@timeshighereducation.com