Staff at the University of Bradford have voted in favour of strike action over the institution¡¯s plans to save ?16 million.

The University and College Union (UCU) fears more than 300 jobs are at risk at the university, with courses in chemistry and film and television set to close.

Some 82 per cent of UCU members voted to back strike action on a turnout of 57 per cent.

The branch is expected to meet on 29 May to decide upon its next steps but the union said strikes could begin as soon as 12 June ¡°unless management rules out compulsory redundancies¡±.

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UCU said the Yorkshire-based university has not yet confirmed where the cuts will fall but its chief financial officer told staff earlier this year they want to return staffing levels to their 2019 levels, which would see about 300 full-time equivalent roles axed.?

Around 230 professional service staff and more than 90 academics have been put at risk, and the union said more than 200 more academics could be added to this list in the coming weeks.

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Jo Grady, general secretary of UCU, said that Bradford staff had ¡°overwhelmingly¡± backed strike action because ¡°they refuse to see important courses cut, jobs axed, and staff and students pay the price for management¡¯s financial failings¡±.?

¡°The proposed cuts would also harm businesses throughout the region that rely on the university and limit the cultural offer available to local students.?

¡°Management needs to look at this vote for strike action and begin listening to our concerns. If the vice-chancellor continues to refuse to extend the consultation period and to rule out compulsory redundancies then we will be forced to strike,¡± she said.

A new wave of?university redundancies?has been announced in recent weeks, with affected institutions including Cardiff Metropolitan and Liverpool Hope universities as well as Arts University Bournemouth.

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A University of Bradford spokesperson said: ¡°Like many UK universities, we are facing significant financial challenges. We are currently in the middle of a review that will help reshape the way we deliver higher education. We appreciate this is a difficult time for our staff and we will continue to support them in any way we can.¡±

juliette.rowsell@timeshighereducation.com