University staff have passed a motion of no confidence in the UEA executive

Staff facing the threat of redundancy at a multi-million pound loss-making university have passed a motion of no confidence in the institution’s leaders.

The University of East Anglia (UEA) announced last month that it would ax 170 full-time equivalent posts as it seeks to save £11m, a lecturer told the BBC that his department would cut its teaching staff. 30% of them suffered a decline.

In the staff assembly meeting, hundreds of staff were present, the vote was 240 to 14. For the second time in less than two years That the UEA Executive has faced such action by staff.

The university said it was working to develop plans to mitigate the worst effects of “external financial pressures”.

Earlier, Vice-Chancellor Professor David Maguire said the decision to cut staff was “not taken lightly” and would save UEA an “additional £11m to stay on track with our financial stabilization plan”. will allow

He explained that the decline was caused by “inflationary cost pressures and a decline in international postgraduate numbers, which is reflected across the sector”.

Wednesday’s vote on the redundancies, which affect all teaching and support staff, was an amendment to the motion calling for transparency and “meaningful communication” on the university’s finances and layoffs plan.

Nick Grant, co-chairman of the UEA branch of the University and College Union (UCU) – which has 900 members – said the “significant” vote indicated the “rock-bottom” morale of staff.

“We need more transparency and for them to work with staff – they say they want to cooperate, but we want it to be meaningful,” Mr Grant said.

“We know this department is a mess, and we think staff have something to contribute to the task of balancing the books.”

UEA’s recent financial woes came to light last year as it faced a £45m deficit by 2026, and UCU passed a vote of no confidence in the then vice-chancellor, deputy vice-chancellor and chief resource officer.

Professor Maguire became Vice-Chancellor a few months later, in May, when many staff. Avail voluntary severance scheme.

A lecturer who did not want to be named said the past few years had affected the morale of “absolutely everyone” at UEA, with the university now a “corporate juggernaut”.

“Things hit rock bottom. Then we were told things were looking up and we had different new people joining. [the executive]” he said.

“Then suddenly, out of the blue, we were told 170 people would lose their jobs.

“Our department has been told it could lose 30% of its lecturers.

“People go to schools and universities because they care about education, but we are reduced to numbers on a page.

“I understand that universities across the board are facing massive problems, and there may be some redundancies, but it doesn’t feel like we’re working together. It feels like they and we. “

The university has previously said that staff and students had been updated about the job cuts and that staff were directly affected.

A university spokesperson said: “At a time of change and uncertainty across the University we are aware of the high emotions and strength of feeling among some staff.

“The senior team is doing its best to develop robust evidence-based plans to mitigate the worst effects of external financial pressures. The UEA Council has approved a multi-year plan to achieve financial stability which is currently On target Despite the difficult choices ahead, we believe that continuing this approach is in the best long-term interests of all at the university.

“We are currently consulting with staff and trade union representatives on proposals to examine alternative ways to implement financial stability and to ensure that the uncertainty is shared with all our staff. Have clear and consistent communication to limit