**Cardiff University Moves to Reassure Staff Amid Redundancy Fears**
Cardiff University has released an updated statement as uncertainty persists over the fate of more than 1,000 staff members who remain at risk of redundancy. The institution has indicated that it will rule out compulsory redundancies for those affected by its proposed restructuring, should staff agree to pause all ongoing industrial action under the current mandate for 2025.
This latest announcement from the university’s executive board arrives at a critical moment. Trade unions, notably the University and College Union (UCU), Unite, and Unison, have voiced significant concerns about job security for university workers. The UCU, representing academic and academic-related staff, has called for an extraordinary general meeting on Thursday, 1 May, to evaluate the university’s offer and consult with its members.
The university’s move comes in response to a sufficient uptake of voluntary redundancy packages, which it says has allowed for flexibility amidst widespread cost-cutting measures. While this development may offer some reassurance temporarily, union officials have stressed the pressing need for clarity for the many employees still under threat. The unions have emphasised the human impact of the university’s “Academic Future” project, highlighting the profound anxiety and uncertainty experienced across both academic and professional services departments.
Cardiff University has also committed to publishing an interim timetable in the coming week. This schedule aims to outline the next steps between the conclusion of the ongoing cost-cutting consultation and an important meeting of the university’s governing council, set for 17 June. It is at this council meeting, officials say, that a more definitive update regarding the restructuring plans and the employment status of at-risk staff will be provided. The university has publicly acknowledged the “very real human impact” of recent proposals and has reiterated a commitment to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of its staff.
The roots of the current crisis date back to January 2025, when Cardiff University first announced sweeping changes as part of its bid to achieve financial sustainability in challenging economic circumstances. Initial suggestions included the elimination of entire departments and as many as 350 job losses. Since then, a number of staff have opted for voluntary redundancy, leading to a reduction in the scale of compulsory cuts initially foreseen. Notably, in the face of fierce criticism, the university has since agreed to reconsider the closure of its School of Nursing.
The prospect of compulsory redundancies prompted union members to schedule a series of industrial actions, including strikes and an indefinite boycott of marking and assessments—an action that threatens to disrupt graduation and course completions. The first scheduled strike was suspended by the UCU as a gesture of goodwill following constructive talks held on 30 April. These negotiations, chaired by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas), provided a temporary pause in hostilities. However, other forms of industrial action remain on the table, including subsequent strikes and reduced participation in university operations.
In a joint statement, the university’s executive board and representatives from the UCU, Unite, and Unison reaffirmed their intention to work collaboratively. They expressed gratitude for the positive spirit of the recent talks and restated their shared goal: to find solutions that benefit staff, students, and the broader university community. The unions remain adamant that more detail is needed for staff still marked as ‘in-scope’ for redundancy and have pressed for transparency around consultation outcomes.
Despite the university’s current assurances regarding compulsory redundancies, concerns linger amongst employees who have yet to learn their fate. Many face ongoing uncertainty about the security of their positions and the timeline for final decisions. The university’s forthcoming interim timetable and June council meeting are now pivotal, with staff and unions alike awaiting more concrete answers.
Cardiff University’s leadership has pledged to continue dialogue with unions and to prioritise staff welfare during what is, for many, a period of unprecedented anxiety. The ultimate hope, expressed by both management and union representatives, is that constructive partnership and willingness to negotiate will help the institution navigate these difficult times without recourse to enforced job losses. For the hundreds affected, however, the next weeks are set to be decisive in shaping their future at Cardiff University.