Strike action planned by academic staff at Cardiff University has been officially called off following an agreement between university management and the University and College Union (UCU) to pause all compulsory redundancies for the remainder of the academic year. The deal, approved by UCU members in a special meeting, ends the immediate threat of eight strike days and a marking boycott that was due to begin on 6th May 2025. The first strike, scheduled for May 1, had already been postponed while talks took place.
In exchange for calling off industrial action, the university has guaranteed no forced job losses in 2025. However, this commitment does not extend beyond the current calendar year, and the university is continuing its consultation on cost-cutting plans, proposals that could still see the restructuring or closure of several departments. While the agreement has brought temporary calm, concerns persist.
UCU’s Cardiff branch has called the outcome a “bittersweet victory”, acknowledging that while the immediate threat to jobs has been defused, hundreds of roles remain under review. More than 1,200 staff members are still considered “at risk” under the ongoing redundancy consultation. The university has cited a strong response to voluntary severance as the key reason it was able to halt compulsory layoffs.
The number of proposed job cuts has been revised down from 400 to 286, thanks to staff choosing to leave under the university’s exit scheme. UCU representatives said the agreement was only reached after intense pressure and a broad campaign by staff and students. “This shows what we can achieve when we push back”, said Dr Andy Williams of Cardiff UCU. “It’s a step forward, but we’re still navigating very serious challenges.” The union has also renewed its industrial action mandate, allowing it to resume strikes later in the year if necessary. With final decisions on restructuring expected by the University Council on June 17, UCU has left the door open for future action.
In response, the university described the agreement as a positive turning point. “We welcome the opportunity to move forward in partnership”, a spokesperson said. “Our focus remains on working constructively with our unions to protect the university’s long-term future while supporting our staff and students”. The ongoing consultation period has now been extended until June 30, giving both sides more time to discuss the future of at-risk departments. A full update on which staff and courses will be affected is expected following the council’s June meeting.