University union says it will “not stand idly by and let our university flounder” following UU redundancy announcement

The chair of the Universities and Colleges Union (UCU) at Ulster University has said that it will “not stand idly by and let our university flounder”.

John Hagan was speaking after UU announced the commencement of a proposed voluntary redundancy scheme which could see the loss of 450 jobs.

The chair of the UCU at Ulster University Norman Hagan has hit out at proposed redundancies. It is not yet clear which campuses will be affected by the proposed redundancy scheme.

placeholder image — The chair of the UCU at Ulster University Norman Hagan has hit out at proposed redundancies. It is not yet clear which campuses will be affected by the proposed redundancy scheme.

Mr Hagan said: “The shocking announcement to cut 450 jobs at Ulster University is unprecedented and represents a direct threat to the quality of education, respect for staff, desires and ambitions of students and the long-term future of our institution.

"Staff already work under sustained pressure, with rising workloads and impossible demands. Imposing redundancies on this scale is deeply alarming and unsustainable. Removing hundreds of staff will fundamentally damage the student experience and weaken academic provision.”

It is reported that staff were informed of the proposed voluntary scheme by Vice Chancellor Paul Bartholomew during an online meeting on Wednesday, April 15

Mr Hagan continued: “Our members deserve full transparency, genuine consultation, in line with legal obligations, as well as the opportunity to challenge the assumptions underpinning these decisions. Any process that falls short of this will be robustly contested and our members will not be afraid to take action to challenge these decisions.

"We are also clear: compulsory redundancies will be strongly resisted. This is not just about jobs; it is about protecting the integrity of higher education in Northern

Ireland. Ulster University plays a critical civic role, and decisions of this magnitude if forced through would have far-reaching detrimental consequences for students, local communities, and the wider regional economy.

"This announcement indicates a complete lack of a clear strategic vision for sustainable growth and development. At a time when universities should be expanding opportunity, investing in innovation, and strengthening their regional impact, large-scale redundancies signal regression, rather than progression.

“You cannot cut your way to excellence, removing 450 jobs risks hollowing out the very foundations that make this university viable, credible, and capable of serving its students and the broader society.

"UCU will defend our members, challenge all unjustified job losses, and will robustly hold the university and government to account. We stand ready to engage, but we will not stand idly by and let our university flounder through government or university neglect.