Goldsmiths Staff Begin Indefinite Strike Over Job Cuts

Staff at Goldsmiths, University of London, began an indefinite strike on June 8 after management deducted 100 percent of pay from participants in an earlier marking and assessment boycott. The University and College Union branch called the strike to oppose a restructuring plan that seeks 22 million pounds in savings, mainly through redundancies that place more than one-fifth of the workforce at risk.

The current dispute follows two earlier rounds of cuts. A 2021 Recovery Programme reduced 17 positions after union action lowered an initial target of 52. A 2023-24 Transformation Programme eliminated 62 positions and 11 of 18 academic departments while generating 16 million pounds in savings.

An FOI request by the union showed management spent more than 14 million pounds on consultants, legal fees and recruitment agencies since 2019, including 2.7 million pounds paid to KPMG. Management also signed covenants with Lloyds and NatWest that required 60 million pounds in collateral and commitments to reduce staff costs.

The interim vice chancellor receives an annual salary of 240,000 pounds. Promotions have been cancelled and budgets for teaching assistants reduced. No public accounting has been provided for the nearly 24 million pounds saved in prior restructurings.

Students estimates 119 universities reported deficits for 2025-26. Members of Parliament have warned that 24 institutions could face insolvency within 12 months. Other universities reporting planned cuts include Nottingham, which issued notices to 2,700 staff, and Sussex, which proposed 200 redundancies.

Changes to student visa rules under the previous government contributed to lower international enrollment. The regulator has stated that some institutions may exit the market under the current funding model introduced after the 2010 Browne Review.