80% of members who voted supported industrial action, on a turnout of 55%. Dates for strikes will be announced in due course, but may be as soon as next month which could impact clearing and open days.
The looming threat targets over 220 employees across the university, including one in ten academic staff. This is despite the most recent accounts showing that in 2022/23 the university ran a £3m operating surplus and had £46m in cash reserves.
Some cuts have already been made with modern languages provision being shut down and eight staff losing their jobs.
UCU Regional Support Official Joe Rooney said: ‘Taking strike action is a last resort but our members have been left with no choice as management is refusing to budge in its plans to slash jobs. These cuts will not just hit staff. They will also impact current and future students and damage the university’s vital role as the region’s cornerstone of education. The local economy will also be affected. In a small city like Lincoln, these huge cuts threaten to undermine the fabric of the region, exacerbating existing challenges and inequalities. There is still time to end this dispute and we would urge Lincoln’s management to get back to the negotiating table and call off the cuts’