UNIVERSITY staff in Cardiff said today that compulsory redundancies are a red line and will join students in a demonstration against threatened job cuts.

Cardiff Metropolitan University UCU members are marking the beginning of an escalating campaign against university job cut plans with a rally tomorrow morning at the Llandaff campus in Cardiff.

The union said that despite receiving a funding boost of £1.73 million from the Welsh government in February, the university is continuing its plan to cut 100 jobs, which is 14 per cent of its teaching workforce.

UCU Wales national officer Gareth Lloyd said: “This is very disappointing. The minister 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.”

The legal consultation on job cuts closed on May 19, and despite calls from the union, Cardiff Met continues to threaten compulsory redundancies for 61 jobs.

The UCU has submitted a counterplan to the university, which does away with the need for compulsory redundancies. 

Despite being asked to comment on the union’s plan, the university did not address this in its response.

“We are committed to open, constructive dialogue and will continue working closely with all recognised trade unions and their representatives throughout this challenging period,” a university spokesperson said.