The threat of up to 200 compulsory redundancies at Middlesex University may lead to a ballot for industrial action, a union has warned.

Jenny Compton-Bishop, branch secretary of Unison at Middlesex, said the situation mirrored that at London Metropolitan University, which has seen industrial action and protests against plans to cut courses and jobs.

¡°We¡¯re looking at job losses that are possibly on the same scale as London Met,¡± she said. ¡°We¡¯re really very angry about it. If our demands are not met, we will be looking to ballot for industrial action.¡±

Both Unison and the local branch of the University and College Union have entered into a dispute with Middlesex over possible job losses and outsourcing.

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The unions have asked for an improved redeployment policy, a recruitment freeze on external appointments, a ¡°meaningful¡± redundancy-avoidance package and an improved voluntary redundancy package, as well as an agreed procurement policy to minimise outsourcing.

Ms Compton-Bishop also said that the unions would want a full financial briefing.

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¡°We want to scrutinise the accounts and look at other ways of cost-savings other than job cuts. We¡¯re not convinced they have explored all other possibilites,¡± she said.

She added that she did not believe that the university would be able to operate efficiently if the full number of redundancies occurred. ¡°We don¡¯t see how the university can maintain the same level of service and range of courses with 10 per cent of the staff gone.¡±

A spokesperson for Middlesex said that providing the best possible experience for students would remain a top priority for the institution, but blamed government cuts for the need to make savings.

¡°We remain committed to avoiding the use of compulsory redundancies and have reopened a voluntary redundancy scheme. However, if voluntary redundancy and other cost-cutting measures can't fill the funding gap, then we regret that compulsory redundancies are an option.¡±

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sarah.cunnane@tsleducation.com