**Bangor University Faces Industrial Action Threat Amidst Fears of Redundancy**
Tensions are mounting at Bangor University as staff signal their readiness to pursue industrial action in response to new proposals that could see significant job losses. Employees are voicing deep concern over the potential for compulsory redundancies following the university’s announcement of a £15 million cost-saving initiative, casting uncertainty over the future of both staff and students at the historic institution.
The latest move by university management proposes the elimination of a further 78 roles, in addition to the 200 posts already earmarked for reduction earlier this year. The university, which currently employs approximately 2,000 people, has openly admitted it cannot rule out making compulsory redundancies as part of its attempt to shore up finances. This comes as Bangor University grapples with a recently reported deficit of £13 million for the last academic year.
In response to these developments, members of the University and College Union (UCU) at Bangor recently took part in a consultative – or indicative – ballot, designed to measure support for industrial action among staff. Over half of eligible union members participated, with a striking 88% expressing support for potential strikes or a marking boycott aimed at preventing enforced job losses. This result paves the way for a formal legal ballot, which, if similarly decisive, would empower the union to escalate action and disrupt core university activities.
Union officials have criticised both the content and process of the current staff consultation, labelling it “a shambles” and expressing frustration at what they describe as errors, incomplete data, and poor communication from university management. Staff report feeling overwhelmed by a lack of transparency and clarity regarding the rationale behind proposed cuts. One academic from the School of Arts, Culture, and Language lamented, “Communication has been terrible, piling fear and stress on top of an already devastating time,” and called for more accountability from leadership, highlighting the sharp contrast between executive pay rises and the looming threat to hundreds of jobs.
Union representatives have appealed for the consultation process to be paused and revisited to address inaccuracies and allow for more meaningful dialogue. However, they allege that concerns have been brushed aside by university leaders and claim management had already made up its mind before consultation began. “We are ready to defend our red line: no compulsory redundancies,” a Bangor UCU spokesperson declared, underscoring the strength of feeling among staff.
Students, too, have raised concerns about the repercussions of job cuts on their education and wellbeing. According to representatives from Undeb Bangor, the university’s students’ union, the consultation period coincided with examination season, limiting students’ capacity to engage with the process or make their voices heard. Vice-President for Education, Rose Pugh, described the timeline and accessibility of the consultation as undermining students’ ability to influence decisions that will shape their university experience, particularly for the most marginalised.
Yakubu Jidda, the incoming President of Undeb Bangor, called for greater transparency from university leaders and emphasised the long-term risks to teaching quality, support services, and provision for the Welsh language. “Students deserve to be heard, especially when decisions are being made that could impact their future,” Jidda said, urging the institution to adopt a more inclusive, student-centric approach.
The situation at Bangor University reflects a wider trend of financial instability within Welsh higher education, with sector-wide deficits expected to surpass £70 million by the end of the current academic year. The threat of industrial action at Bangor also extends beyond academic staff, as branches of Unite and Unison have signalled their willingness to ballot for action should compulsory redundancies proceed, raising the spectre of widespread disruption.
As the university community awaits a formal response from management, union officials insist that the strength of feeling among staff ought to prompt a rethink of the redundancy proposals. Gareth Lloyd, UCU Cymru Wales Official, remarked, “We urge the Vice Chancellor to drop all threats of compulsory redundancy.” With further meetings and possible ballots ahead, the coming months will be critical in determining whether compromise can be reached or whether Bangor University will see the largest industrial upheaval in its recent history.