UNISON has today (Wednesday) slammed the Open University’s decision to press ahead with office closures and job cuts, despite opposition from its own Senate.
The proposed closure of seven regional offices in Birmingham, Oxford, Cambridge, Gateshead, Leeds, Bristol, and London means continued uncertainty for 500 members of staff, says UNISON.
UNISON General Secretary Dave Prentis said: “It beggars belief that the Open University is pushing ahead with these damaging cuts against the advice of its own Senate, which says that cuts are high risk and don’t support the academic mission of the university.
“Over 500 staff now face an uncertain future. These are dedicated individuals, who have spent a lifetime building an academic service of which we should all be proud.
“There has to be a better solution to closing regional offices and jeopardising essential services to students, and putting jobs at risk. The integrity of the Open University is at stake.”
UNISON is supporting university union UCU whose members are striking today over the regional office closures and job cuts.
