Motion of no-confidence in university chief passes

Union members at the University of Sheffield have passed a motion of no confidence in the vice-chancellor in a dispute over job cuts and workload.

The University and College Union (UCU) said 1,600 staff and post-graduate researchers voted in favour of the motion on Friday.

It said more than 500 staff had lost their jobs through voluntary severance since November 2024 and four more departments were set for cuts.

A university spokesperson said it was taking a proactive and strategic approach to sector-wide challenges to "protect the world-leading teaching and research Sheffield is known for" and ensure long-term sustainability.

The university said that as part of cost-reduction measures, it was reviewing structures in specific areas in line with current and future teaching, research and support needs.

It said compulsory redundancies would remain "an absolute last resort" and insisted no schools or disciplines were closing, with courses continuing to be delivered "to the same high academic standards".

However, the union said the process was putting a strain on members, with many facing job insecurity and high workloads.

It also said staff had been "pressured to make up teaching lost" and had pay withheld during and after recent strike action.

The university said pay was withheld when staff breached their contractual obligations to not replace teaching missed due to strike action.

It said the policy, which affected about 50 of its 8,600 staff, was intended to minimise disruption to students and ensure they received the education they were entitled to.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said confidence was "at an all-time low" due to the "continued attack on staff" and called on vice-chancellor Prof Koen Lamberts to either change the plans or resign.

"There is no business or educational case for management's plans and it is essential that governors listen to staff concerns and challenge the flawed management being led by the vice-chancellor," Grady said.

"We fear these cuts are the thin end of the wedge and, unless urgent action is taken now, Sheffield staff and students will suffer real harm in the future."

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