Strike threat at Exeter as thousands back petition against cuts

A strike ballot has been called at the University of Exeter as concern mounts over the impact of deep job cuts at the institution.

Members of the University and College Union (UCU) will be asked to vote on whether they back industrial action from 27 July.

A previous indicative vote showed strong support for strikes among members, with 92 per cent saying they would be willing to walk out, on a turn out of 68 per cent.

Last month Exeter put 500 staff at risk of redundancy, with 150 full time equivalent posts eventually expected to go.

The bulk of the changes are concentrated in the university’s School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, with UCU alleging it has been “disproportionately targeted” despite being world leading.