Cuts equivalent to 15,000 jobs planned at UK universities – UCU

I think the issue of excessive pay for senior mamangemet needs to be kept in the spotlight in this discussion. It's clear now that our politicians the UK (devolved govet or otherwise) are verty concerned about this issue, the press is also especially concerned, and I think so students, parents and the public at large.

It's all very distressing. Everything seems so haphazard and unplanned and no-one seems to be in control of the situation. This government is on the back foot on everything now and not in the right place to bring in the confident reforms we need.

Since when did strikes at Universities actually lead to real and significant change? They will do nothing to avert these job losses, which are set to get much worse. Strikes may even be welcomed by some Universities as a means to save some cash from salaries being held back from those on the picket line. Management will say they are “disappointed” at the decision to strike and the effect this will have on students etc, but do they mean it really? There is also the recurring myth that the problems faced by the sector are being caused solely by external factors in the UK economy. Many Universities need to radically rethink how they are being governed, and who is governing them.

It is the sheer volume of mid tier managers, many doing “make work” tasks, that are draining both the finances and spirit from most of UK HE.