Staff at Lancaster University will begin industrial action on Monday November 10 over management’s threat to axe one in four staff, the University and College Union (UCU) announced.

The action comes after an overwhelming 94% of UCU members who voted backed action short of strike, with 88% also backing strike action.

The UCU members will be working to rule, refusing to cover absent colleagues, and refusing to undertake any work outside of their job description.

The action could continue for up to six months and UCU is also considering going out on strike before Christmas unless management rules out compulsory redundancies.

placeholder image — Entrance to Lancaster University.

Management is attempting to axe over 400 staff by the end of this academic year (Friday July 31 2026) including over 200 academics. In total around one in four staff are up for the chop.

Despite this, the university is pushing ahead with plans to open a campus in India and refuses to set out how many millions of pounds this will cost, said the UCU.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: ‘Staff are working to rule in a battle to protect Lancaster University from the devastating cuts management is attempting to inflict.

‘It is completely unacceptable to embark upon such a destructive programme of cuts, all while directing money to vanity projects abroad.

"Management must now open the books, tell us how many millions it has earmarked for a new campus halfway around the world, and work with us to protect jobs and student provision here in Lancaster. If the university refuses to do so, our members will have no choice but to escalate to strike action before Christmas.”

A Lancaster University spokesperson said: “In the light of financial pressures impacting the whole UK university sector, Lancaster University is having to make very difficult but necessary decisions to protect the excellent student experience we pride ourselves on.

“The University is seeking cost savings of £30M from our payroll budget across both academic and professional services

"UCU has now notified the University that it will begin 'action short of a strike' ( ASOS) beginning on Monday November 10.

“This means staff will continue to work, but within limits.

“We recognise that this period of change is a deeply unsettling time for our staff, students, and the communities we serve, and we do not enter into this process lightly.

"However, achieving financial sustainability is essential to securing the University’s future.”