STAFF at the University of Bradford have begun a five-day walkout on Monday as new stats show, over two-thirds of staff are considering leaving the sector.

Two separate disputes have resulted in staff striking. The first is over a 35% cut to guaranteed pension income. The second is over deteriorating pay and working conditions.

The UK-wide strike action involves staff at 67 universities. It started last week when staff at 40 universities downed tools for five days. This is the third round of strike action this academic year.

The University will remain open throughout the planned periods of industrial action and students will have access to on-campus facilities including the library, study spaces, student support, and leisure facilities. We have reassured students that we will do everything we can to ensure their teaching, assessments, and student support continue to operate effectively.”

UCU also warned of a staff exodus from UK universities after two-thirds of university staff said they are considering leaving the sector. The finding comes from a new UCU report ‘UK Higher Education – a workforce in crisis’ based on a survey of almost 7k (6,761) university staff at over 100 institutions. 

Results from the survey showed that two-thirds of respondents said they are likely or very likely to leave the university sector in the next five years over pension cuts, pay, and working conditions. A majority of respondents said they are unhappy or very unhappy about spending the remainder of their career in higher education

Industrial ballots also opened at 149 universities this month, including at Bradford. They will run until Friday 8 April. Successful ballots pave the way for action to continue to be called throughout the remainder of 2022.

Last month university employers were forced through USS pension cuts, which will see 35% slashed from a typical member's guaranteed retirement income. In the pension dispute, UCU is demanding that employers revoke their cuts and re-enter negotiations. 

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: "University staff are striking over devastating pension cuts, falling pay, and brutal working conditions. They have been pushed to breaking point again and again by vice-chancellors and are now saying that they are ready to leave the sector entirely. This is a damning indictment of the way staff have been treated.

"The toxic working culture that has been created by vice-chancellors cannot be allowed to continue, which is why university staff are on picket lines yet again."