Dear colleagues,
Firstly, and most importantly, we want to express our solidarity with each one of you following the devastating news delivered by the University Executive Board (UEB) on the 28th of January 2025. We want to re-assure you that your union stands ready and by your side.
The proposals made by UEB threaten the livelihood of hundreds of colleagues, the reputation of our university, and our place in Welsh society. We have communicated our concerns in no uncertain terms to Welsh Government and are willing to work with them. The handling of the announcements has also been reported by many members as being poorly conducted; with a lack of care and compassion that UEB has a duty to uphold. We are aware that the university has sufficient reserves, including liquid reserves, to guarantee no compulsory redundancies.
We therefore propose a motion of no confidence in the Cardiff University Executive Board and Cardiff University Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Wendy Larner. Should a vote of no confidence be passed, we will engage Council to seriously consider the will of staff, the impact of the proposed redundancies on our institution, and the reputational damage that UEB’s proposal has caused.
We are the largest university in Wales, and Wales’ only Russell Group University. We, as staff along with our students, are the university and we contribute significantly to the Welsh economy, to the culture of Wales, and the building of a Welsh nation. It is regrettable that, whilst redundancies are being announced in Cardiff, UEB are still proceeding with outsourcing our resources through the opening of Cardiff University in Kazakhstan next academic year.
We would like to invite members and the Cardiff University community to participate in a Vote of No Confidence. Membership of a campus trade union is not a requirement. The vote relates to the Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, and the University Executive Board, based on the substantial concerns expressed by staff and UEB’s handling of the current situation. We call for the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Prof Wendy Larner and demand UEB be held accountable by stakeholders (including Medr) for irreparably breaking staff trust in university management.
The announcement made on the 28th of January has done significant reputational damage to our university and the manner in which the proposal was communicated demonstrates a dereliction of duty of care that UEB have towards university staff. The proposal put forward by UEB, and the communication thereof, will have a profound impact on student recruitment, attracting of early career academics, staff retention, and our university’s relations with NHS Wales, Welsh government, and other key public and private sector stakeholders.
Members of Parliament have come out in support of staff following UEB’s announcement, as have Members of Senedd who have met with us to express their concerns. We would also like to extend our thanks to the Cardiff Unite Branch Secretary and Representatives and Cardiff University UNISON Executive Committee for their steadfast support.
Yours in solidarity,
Cardiff UCU Branch Executive Committee