Press Releases | Cardiff UCU

Media Statement: Cardiff UCU

For immediate release: Tuesday 25th March 2025

“YMA O HYD” – “WE’RE STILL HERE”, SAY CARDIFF UNI STAFF WITH RESOUNDING MANDATE FOR ANTI-CUTS INDUSTRIAL ACTION; WELSH FOLK LEGEND DAFYDD IWAN OFFERS SUPPORT

Cardiff University staff have overwhelmingly backed industrial action in a fight against huge job cuts, announced the Cardiff University Branch of the University and College Union (Cardiff UCU) today (Tuesday).

The news came as musician, campaigner, and politician Dafydd Iwan lent his support to staff fighting for their jobs, and against management plans to axe whole programmes or departments, including nursing, modern languages, religion and theology, music, and ancient history. Iwan said he was “very worried” about the cuts, and in support of those “campaigning to protect Cardiff University’s jobs and courses and standards, for the benefit of students and staff, and for the benefit of the future of our nation”.

A massive 83% backed strike action, and 86% backed action short of a strike up to and including an assessment boycott, in a ballot that saw over 64% of Cardiff UCU members vote.

The ballot result means that members could now down tools unless management agrees to rule out compulsory redundancies. Staff will meet this week to decide upon next steps including the options of strike action and action short of a strike up to an including an assessment boycott, which could disrupt student graduations this summer.

Management claims it needs to make the cuts to balance the books, but UCU’s independent analysis of Cardiff University’s finances show that they could draw on £188m in available cash to protect jobs and student provision [see the notes to editors for more detail].

Since the cuts were announced, the Cardiff University leaders have come under sustained pressure to reverse them:

Cardiff UCU has tabled an alternative proposal for a longer, more gradual recovery drawing on available funds without cutting jobs which has cross-party political support in Wales;

The Welsh Government has made £19m additional funding available to Welsh universities and said they should work in social partnership with UCU to avoid compulsory redundancies;

Management have come under repeated fire for establishing a new campus in Kazakhstan while cutting the University at home; and

This week, Cardiff Vice Chancellor Prof Wendy Larner was criticised for delaying an appearance to be scrutinised by the Senedd’s Education Committee.

At-risk staff, many unable to speak out against the cuts because of a widely reported “climate of fear” fostered by senior managers, have built a vibrant coalition in defence of their jobs. Welsh Musical legend Dafydd Iwan, an Honorary Fellow at the University since 2022, and an alumnus of its BA in Architecture, is the latest to add his voice to the campaign. He follows Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Nobel-prize winning academics, artists and musicians including Sir Simon Rattle, MP’s and MS’s across parties, public figures such as Former Labour Leader Neil Kinnock, the Royal College of Nursing, Church groups, as well as the presidents of the European and London Mathematical Societies.

Hundreds of musicians from across the UK also added to Cardiff Uni managers’ woes when they took to Cardiff streets last month, performing Iwan’s “alternative Welsh national anthem” and protest song “Yma o Hyd” (in English: “We’re Still Here”) as the Cardiff University Salvation Orchestra.

Dafydd Iwan said: “As a fellow of three Welsh Universities, I am very worried about the tremendous squeeze on their funding these days. The future of Wales depends to a large extent on having viable and progressive Universities to serve them. I send this message of support to everyone who is campaigning to protect Cardiff University’s jobs and courses and standards, for the benefit of students and staff, and for the benefit of the future of our nation.”

Cardiff University UCU branch president Dr Joey Whitfield said: “This ballot result shows Cardiff staff are utterly opposed to the cruel and unnecessary cuts management are trying to force through. It’s time for Cardiff University leaders to listen to staff, and the huge amount of public, political, cultural, and community support we have built, before they further damage the University’s tattered reputation. They must use the University’s £188m of available cash to fund a more cautious and evidence-based approach to improving our finances without destroying our members’ lives. Industrial action is always difficult, and always a last resort, but if the University doesn’t negotiate and row back on its disastrous plans we will be left with no choice.”

UCU general secretary Dr Jo Grady said: “Cardiff staff are furious at the university’s refusal to work with UCU to avoid these swingeing cuts. The vice-chancellor now needs to concentrate on resolving this dispute and avoiding strike action at home before thinking about opening up a new campus in Kazakhstan.”

-Ends-

Datganiad Cyfryngau: UCU CaerdyddI

Dydd Mawrth 25 Mawrth 2025

“YMA O HYD” – DYWED GWEITHWYR PRIFYSGOL CAERDYDD GYDA MANDAD YSGUBOL DROS WEITHREDU DIWYDIANNOL YN ERBYN TORIADAU; DAFYDD IWAN YN SEFYLL CORNEL STAFF

Mae staff Prifysgol Caerdydd wedi datgan eu cefnogaeth llethol i weithredu diwydiannol yn eu brwydr yn erbyn toriadau swyddi enfawr, cyhoeddodd Cangen Prifysgol Caerdydd o’r Undeb Prifysgolion a Cholegau (UCU Caerdydd) heddiw (dydd Mawrth).

Daeth y newyddion wrth i’r cerddor, ymgyrchydd, a’r gwleidydd Dafydd Iwan cynnig ei gefnogaeth i staff a myfyrwyr sydd yn brwydro dros eu swyddi, ac yn erbyn cynlluniau rheolwyr i gael gwared ar raglenni neu adrannau cyfan, gan gynnwys nyrsio, ieithoedd modern, crefydd a diwinyddiaeth, cerddoriaeth, a hanes yr henfyd. Dywedodd Iwan ei fod yn “bryderus iawn” am y toriadau, ac o blaid y rhai sy’n “ymgyrchu i warchod swyddi a chyrsiau a safonau Prifysgol Caerdydd, er lles myfyrwyr a staff, ac er lles dyfodol ein cenedl”.

Cefnogwyd streicio gan ganran enfawr o 83%, a 86% yn cefnogi gweithredu ag eithrio streic hyd at (ac yn cynnwys) boicot asesiad – mewn pleidlais a welodd dros 64% o aelodau UCU Caerdydd yn bwrw pleidlais.

Mae canlyniad y bleidlais yn golygu y gallai aelodau UCU Caerdydd rhoi stop ar eu gwaith oni bai bod y rheolwyr yn diystyru diswyddiadau gorfodol. Bydd staff yn cyfarfod yr wythnos hon i drafod a phleidleisio ar weithredu diwydiannol gan gynnwys streic a gweithredu ag eithrio streic – gan gynnwys boicot asesu, a allai amharu ar raddio myfyrwyr yr haf hwn.

Mae’r rheolwyr yn honni bod angen y toriadau i fantoli’r cyfrifon, ond mae dadansoddiad annibynnol UCU o gyllid Prifysgol Caerdydd yn dangos y gallent wneud defnydd o’r £188m mewn arian parod sydd ar gael iddynt, er mwyn diogelu swyddi a darpariaeth myfyrwyr [gweler y nodiadau i olygyddion am ragor o fanylion].

Ers cyhoeddi’r toriadau, mae arweinwyr Prifysgol Caerdydd wedi dod o dan bwysau parhaus i’w gwrthdroi:

• Mae UCU Caerdydd wedi cyflwyno cynnig amgen ar gyfer adferiad hirach, graddol, gan ddefnyddio’r arian sydd ar gael ac heb dorri swyddi – cynllun sydd â chefnogaeth wleidyddol drawsbleidiol yng Nghymru;

• Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi sicrhau bod £19m o gyllid ychwanegol ar gael i brifysgolion Cymru a dywedodd y dylent weithio mewn partneriaeth gymdeithasol ag UCU i osgoi diswyddiadau gorfodol;

• Mae rheolwyr wedi bod dan y lach tro ar ôl tro oherwydd sefydlu campws newydd yn Kazakhstan tra bod y Brifysgol gartref dan y fwyell; a

• Yr wythnos hon, beirniadwyd Is-ganghellor Caerdydd, yr Athro Wendy Larner am geisio ohirio ymddangosiad o flaen Pwyllgor Addysg y Senedd i graffu ar eu penderfyniadau.

Mae’r staff sydd dan fygythiad – a nifer sy’n methu siarad yn erbyn y toriadau oherwydd yr “hinsawdd o ofn” hysbys sydd wedi’i feithrin gan uwch reolwyr – wedi adeiladu clymblaid lliwgar i amddiffyn eu swyddi. Dafydd Iwan, sy’n Gymrawd er Anrhydedd yn y Brifysgol ers 2022, ac yn gyn-fyfyriwr ar ei BA mewn Pensaernïaeth, yw’r diweddaraf i ychwanegu ei lais at yr ymgyrch. Mae’n dilyn y Fonesig Kiri Te Kanawa, academyddion, artistiaid a cherddorion sydd wedi ennill gwobrau Nobel gan gynnwys Syr Simon Rattle, ASau ac MS ar draws pleidiau, ffigurau cyhoeddus fel y Cyn Arweinydd Llafur Neil Kinnock, y Coleg Nyrsio Brenhinol, grwpiau Eglwysig, yn ogystal â llywyddion Cymdeithasau Mathemategol Ewrop a Llundain.

Ychwanegodd cannoedd o gerddorion o bob rhan o’r DU hefyd at ofid rheolwyr Prifysgol Caerdydd pan aethant i’r strydoedd yng Nghaerdydd fis diwethaf, gan berfformio “anthem genedlaethol amgen” Iwan gyda’r gân brotest “Yma o Hyd”, yn enw Cerddorfa Iachawdwriaeth Prifysgol Caerdydd.

Meddai Dafydd Iwan: “Fel cymrawd i dair o Brifysgolion Cymru, rwy’n gofidio’n fawr am y wasgfa aruthrol sydd ar eu cyllid y dyddiau hyn. Mae dyfodol Cymru yn dibynnu i raddau helaeth ar gael Prifysgolion hyfyw a blaengar i’w gwasanaethu. Anfonaf y neges hon o gefnogaeth i bawb sydd yn ymgyrchu i warchod swyddi a chyrsiau a safonau Prifysgol Caerdydd, er lles myfyrwyr a staff, ac er budd dyfodol ein cenedl.”

Dywedodd llywydd cangen UCU Prifysgol Caerdydd, Dr Joey Whitfield: “Mae canlyniad y bleidlais hon yn dangos bod staff Caerdydd yn gwbl wrthwynebus i’r toriadau creulon a diangen y mae rheolwyr yn ceisio eu gorfodi arnom. Mae’n hen bryd i arweinwyr Prifysgol Caerdydd wrando ar staff, a’r gefnogaeth gyhoeddus, wleidyddol, ddiwylliannol a chymunedol enfawr yr ydym wedi’i hadeiladu, cyn iddynt wneud niwed pellach i enw da’r Brifysgol, y maen nhw’n brysur yn chwalu’n yfflon. Mae’n rhaid iddynt gwneud defnydd gofalus o’r £188 sydd ar gael i’r Brifysgol ar sail y dystiolaeth, a heb ddinistrio bywydau ein haelodau. Mae gweithredu diwydiannol bob amser yn anodd, a bob amser yn ddewis olaf, ond os na fydd y Brifysgol yn negodi ac yn ailystyried ei chynlluniau trychinebus ni fydd gennym unrhyw ddewis.”

Dywedodd ysgrifennydd cyffredinol yr UCU, Dr Jo Grady: “Mae staff Caerdydd yn gandryll ynghylch bwriad y brifysgol i wrthod gweithio gydag UCU i osgoi’r toriadau digynsail hyn. Mae angen i’r is-ganghellor ganolbwyntio ar ddatrys yr anghydfod hwn ac osgoi streic ar yr aelwyd, cyn ystyried agor campws newydd yn Kazakhstan.”

-Diwedd-

Notes for editors:

What is Cardiff UCU?

Cardiff UCU is the representative trade union voice for academic and academic-related staff at Cardiff University. Cardiff UCU members include academics, researchers, managers, librarians, IT staff, postgraduates who teach and other hourly paid teaching staff, whether on fixed-term or on permanent contracts; whether full-time or part-time.

The cuts at Cardiff University explained:

Cardiff University senior management announced cuts to staff and student provision unprecedented in UK higher education. Cardiff UCU, the recognised representative trade union for academic and academic-related staff at the University, condemned the plans as cruel and unnecessary, and is balloting for strike action, and action short of a strike, to fight compulsory redundancies.

From 11am on January 28^th staff were invited to a series of briefings in which the alarming scale and depth of the proposed restructure was outlined to them. Many were left shell-shocked and in tears, fearing for their jobs, their students, and the future of what seems likely to be a radically altered University. The announcements were wide-ranging, but included plans to: cut whole departments or programmes (Nursing, Modern Languages, Religion and Theology, Music, and Ancient History were all named); axe 400 academic staff, 7 per cent of the workforce (with the promise of further, likely bigger, cuts to professional services administrative staff later in the year); and merge many existing schools (including the formation of a new department incorporating English, linguistics, archaeology, philosophy, history, Welsh, and remaining modern languages not already cut).

Senior managers insist that these kind of disruptive cuts are needed to balance the books, but Cardiff UCU’s independent expert financial analysis suggests otherwise. At the root of the cuts is a self-imposed plan to chase a 12% surplus on the budget. This would make sense if the University were a business, with the need to pay dividends to shareholders. It would also make sense if the institution had very low reserves (which is also not the case – Cardiff is currently sitting on £188 million in cash reserves). As a union branch, we recognise there are problems with Cardiff’s finances and funding of UK Higher Education more broadly. But these cuts are avoidable, and we have consistently urged more cautious action aimed at a more gradual recovery.

Cardiff UCU’s independent financial analysis of the case for the cuts:

Cardiff UCU has analysed the documents shared with us about Cardiff University’s finances and consulting with Andrew McGettigan (HE Financial Expert) on its financial position and strategy. Cardiff UCU’s analysis of the data presented to it by the university’s Chief Financial Officer and recent annual reports show that:

The massive cuts hinge on the university chasing a 12% operating surplus on adjusted income. No rationale for this has been provided, except by reference to sector averages;

This is an ambitious target which is at the core of the austerity plan we are currently facing, the threat of widespread compulsory redundancies and the axing of entire programmes and departments;

The 12% operating surplus on adjusted income target may have made sense in a previous era in order to build capital and would make sense for institutions that have very low reserves with the urgent need to maintain financial sustainability, but in Cardiff University’s present financial context with large amounts of accessible cash (£188 million as of 31st July 2024, more since the most recent accounts were released).

This target seems to be prioritising the health of the University’s bank account for its own sake, instead of prioritising the health of the organisation and the lives of its staff. As an organisation run on charitable principles, Cardiff University is not meant to hoard cash beyond what is necessary for the stability of the organisation.

As mentioned above, Cardiff University currently has about £188 million in accessible cash which it can use to turn things around positively in a more gradual, measured, and sustainable manner over a longer period.

Lowering the self-imposed and overly ambitious operating surplus target would negate any argument for the need to cut jobs and pose zero risk to the institution.

What are the risks of delivering teaching programmes in Kazakhstan according to the University’s own risk assessments documents for higher education partnerships?

On 17^th March the University announced that its governing body University Council had approved a proposal for Cardiff University to establish a branch in Astana, Kazakhstan. Even before this decision (in December 2024) it has been directing staff to design programmes of study ready to taught under unclear conditions, in an unfamiliar environment, to begin delivery as soon as September 2025. The University’s partner in Kazakhstan, a new NGO with no history of delivering such projects called Qualified Centre for Education – Public Foundation posted a video of the (as yet undeveloped) land where the Cardiff University campus will be sited in December 2024.

The University has pledged that it will rigorously risk-assess the partnership, and all international Foundation Programmes must be quality-controlled by the regulator Medr. This is encouraging.

The University stated “we are not investing any capital in this venture, we are not paying for a campus”. Other costs are, however, inevitable. The staff time to develop and deliver new courses represents a significant outlay, as will the running costs of a new campus (which according to the Government of Kazakhstan will accommodate “more than 2,500 students” annually), the legal and consultancy fees associated with setting up a new institution, running costs, and the administrative, teaching, and other staff needed to run it. In an interview on Kazakh television in December Lord Mike German (who set up the deal) stated that Cardiff University is keen to develop “research capability” in Kazakhstan. In addition to teaching, this is another area of potentially spiralling costs. The University’s own risk-assessment policies admit that setting up a new campus abroad involves “significant investment in staff [and] facilities to replicate what happens at Cardiff”.

So far, the University has publicly downplayed the risks its Kazakhstan project involves, but now it has been given the green light by University Council, it will need to provide detailed reassurances to staff, students, policy-makers, and others. Its own policies and guidance documents (pages 14-16) label “International Branch Campuses” as operating at the highest level of risk in a number of ways. For instance, setting up a “mini University” in another location, among other risks: requires “significant investment in staff, facilities to replicate what happens at Cardiff”; risks employing staff with “significantly lower” qualification levels than at home; would be difficult because “Cardiff does not have extensive experience” in such arrangements; involves legal, administrative, and other costs; can lead to a “lower academic standards” if not monitored effectively.

All of these risks require significant, and time-intensive, planning. In order to win staff support, and allay doubts over potential reputational damage, the University will need to be honest and transparent in its communication of the work it has done to avoid such risks.

Cardiff UCU media contacts (languages spoken indicated in brackets)

Dr Joey Whitfield (Cardiff UCU Branch President, English)
Email: whitfieldj1@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone: 07527 703597

Dr Siôn Jones (Welsh, English)
Email: jonessl26@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone: 07925 388867

Dr Renata Medeiros-Mirra (English)
Email: medeirosmirrarj@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone: 07527 703597

Cardiff UCU Office (staffed part time):
E-mail: ucu@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone: 02920 874443
Website: https://www.cardiffucu.org.uk

Media Statement: Cardiff UCU

For immediate release: Thursday 19th March 2025

1,400 CARDIFF UNI STAFF STILL AT RISK OF REDUNDANCY; UNION QUESTIONS ROLE OF KAZAKSTAN SCHEME IN RESTRUCTURING PLAN

Today 1,400 of our members received emails from Cardiff University stating they were still “in scope” for redundancy. This represents a decrease of just 400 since the cuts were announced. Cardiff UCU continues to argue that redundancies are unnecessary and that the University’s existing available cash (in excess of £188m) should be drawn on to fund a more gradual recovery which does not sacrifice jobs. It has submitted detailed, costed proposals with widespread political support to the University to back this up.

The union is also worried that the University has linked future narrowing of the redundancy pool to its plans to open a branch in Kazakhstan, stating that the scheme “may reduce staff reductions”. The union expressed concern that this agreement is being rushed, exposing the University to too much risk, and that staff feel pressured to accept significant changes to their roles in order to keep their jobs.

Today Cardiff UCU published a series of questions on the Kazakhstan venture which it said the University had so far failed to answer, despite staff being required to develop outline plans for courses and course progression in Kazakhstan for months.

It warned that Cardiff University, compared to other universities, has been late in the day in developing plans for trans-national education, and was now rushing its plans through in a manner which threatens the University’s reputation.

“Cardiff University is a significant research-led Russell Group university with an international reputation that attracts students from all over the globe”, said a Cardiff UCU spokesperson. “Yet its plans for trans-national education appear now to be driven by opportunism rather than a carefully thought-out strategy. We mean no disrespect to the Kazakh people or their government when we say Cardiff University’s headfirst dive into their country is in danger of rebounding.”

Cardiff UCU’s questions to the University revolve around the University’s own policies for risk management of new partnerships.

“What risk evaluation has the University presented to council about its Kazakhstan plans in respect of what could go wrong, and when will this be published?

“What plans does the University have to mitigate the risks in line with its taxonomy of educational partnerships?

“What is the likely impact on the University’s reputation should things go wrong?

“How does the University intend to present the partnership (in particular its due diligence) as part of the external Quality Enhancement Review process, which relates to Welsh HE regulator Medr’s Quality Assessment Framework?

“What assessment has the University’s Audit and Risk Committee made of the risk and when will it publish such an assessment?

“What support will the University give to staff members working in Kazakhstan?

“Does the University’s planning take into account Foreign Office guidance on living and working in Kazakhstan, including for women and LGBTQ staff?’

“Has the University done the necessary environmental and sustainability impact assessment for the scheme?”

Cardiff UCU members have not yet heard satisfactory answers to these questions, and are concerned by reports of nepotism and corruption in the Higher Education sector, as well as by the backdrop of repression and human rights abuses in the country. Some staff have already been told by managers that they will get to keep their jobs if they agree to teach in Kazakhstan. And now the University is indicating its new venture might mean fewer jobs have to be cut. By running a consultation on redundancies at the same time as launching a risky new transnational education venture, there is a danger that staff will feel pressured into accepting changes to their roles as part of the widely reported “climate of fear” at the University. All of this could be avoided if a slower, more careful, approach to both improving the University’s finances, as well as growing its transnational education plans, were adopted.”

The spokesperson added: “Cardiff UCU is not opposed to transnational education, but it is worrying that a Welsh University is cutting hundreds of jobs and axing whole departments at home at the same time as it is investing significant resources to provide education abroad in a hastily arranged deal with an NGO that’s existed for less than a year. The chequered history of Welsh Universities engaging in international adventures suggests this kind of agreement should be approached very slowly, and with lots of caution. But our members across the University, many of them at risk of redundancy, have already been put to work planning initial programmes of study in time for a September 2025 start to teaching. The University is stressing that it’s doing due diligence, but its ambitious timetable suggests that it’s rushing in without due regard for what’s left of our reputation.”

-Ends-

Notes for editors:

What is Cardiff UCU?

What are the risks of delivering teaching programmes in Kazakhstan according to the University’s own risk assessments documents for higher education partnerships?

The University has pledged that it will rigorously risk-assess the partnership, and all international Foundation Programmes must be quality-controlled by the regulator Medr. This is encouraging.

The University’s Tattered Reputation in International Student Markets

The Cuts, and the way they were announced in January 2025, have led to the University’s reputation being trashed on the world stage. Cardiff UCU has already been quoted in The Times of India describing the cuts as “cruel and unnecessary” and as having a “devastating impact” on staff and students. Similarly, The Shri Lanka Guardian quoted a UCU rep calling the Vice Chancellor’s proposals “academic vandalism”.

Most significantly, critical news coverage has aired on the rolling news channel and website of Singapore-owned Chanel News Asia, which broadcasts to huge audiences across South East Asia (and plays a role similar to Al Jazeera in the Arab World). In this piece Cardiff UCU said: “the proposed job and course cuts hinge on the university’s self-imposed plan to make a 12 per cent surplus year-on-year. That would be reasonable if they were a business that needed to pay out money to shareholders, or even if they were a university with small or non-existent reserves, but Cardiff University has huge reserves. […] We need a more cautious, drawn-out recovery, drawing on a small amount of those rainy-day reserves to defend staff jobs.”

The cuts at Cardiff University explained:

Cardiff UCU’s independent financial analysis of the case for the cuts:

The massive cuts hinge on the university chasing a 12% operating surplus on adjusted income. No rationale for this has been provided, except by reference to sector averages;

This is an ambitious target which is at the core of the austerity plan we are currently facing, the threat of widespread compulsory redundancies and the axing of entire programmes and departments;

The 12% operating surplus on adjusted income target may have made sense in a previous era in order to build capital and would make sense for institutions that have very low reserves with the urgent need to maintain financial sustainability, but in Cardiff University’s present financial context with large amounts of accessible cash (£188 million as of 31st July 2024, more since the most recent accounts were released).

This target seems to be prioritising the health of the University’s bank account for its own sake, instead of prioritising the health of the organisation and the lives of its staff. As an organisation run on charitable principles, Cardiff University is not meant to hoard cash beyond what is necessary for the stability of the organisation.

As mentioned above, Cardiff University currently has about £188 million in accessible cash which it can use to turn things around positively in a more gradual, measured, and sustainable manner over a longer period.

Lowering the self-imposed and overly ambitious operating surplus target would negate any argument for the need to cut jobs and pose zero risk to the institution.

Cardiff UCU media contacts (languages spoken indicated in brackets)

Dr Joey Whitfield (Cardiff UCU Branch President, English)
Email: whitfieldj1@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone: 07527 703597

Dr Siôn Jones (Welsh, English)
Email: jonessl26@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone: 07925 388867

Dr Renata Medeiros-Mirra (English)
Email: medeirosmirrarj@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone: 07527 703597

Cardiff UCU Office (staffed part time):
E-mail: ucu@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone: 02920 874443
Website: https://www.cardiffucu.org.uk

Media Statement: Cardiff UCU

For immediate release: Monday 10th March 2025

CARDIFF UNI STAFF TARGET HOUSE OF LORDS UNIVERSITY RECEPTION

Cardiff University academics are hoping members of the House of Lords will take up their campaign against job losses this week when the University holds a reception for its alumni. Lord Griffiths of Burry Port has organised a reception on behalf of the University for which alumni are being expected to pay. They are invited to the event with Pat Younge (Chair of University Council) and Prof Wendy Larner (the Vice Chancellor) where they can: “enjoy wine and canapés in the Cholmondeley Room and Terrace, with wonderful views of the River Thames.”

The Cardiff branch of the University and College Union (Cardiff UCU) are targeting the event as part of its extensive political lobbying against the cuts after members informed us that they felt “insulted” that it was going ahead in the current context. They have circulated a draft letter for at-risk staff to send to Welsh Members of the House of Lords, and numerous of them have already responded offering support. The letter says:

‘On 13th March, my University, Cardiff University is holding a reception in the House of Lords for alumni at 6.00pm.

‘I am one of 1800 academic staff at Cardiff University who was told on 29 January that our jobs were at risk of redundancy. I am writing to encourage you to go to the reception, which is being hosted by Lord Griffiths of Burry Port, and to ask the following questions of the Vice-Chancellor and other leading university figures:

Why have they delayed until 2025 taking serious action to address the University deficit? Earlier action could have meant a more measured approach, and the Vice-Chancellor told staff on 4 February that action could have been taken earlier.
Why have they determined that they need to take such sharp, destructive action in the short term, rather than spreading out their financial remediation over a period of years, especially given that they £188m in available cash to draw on?
Why are they threatening to close the schools of nursing, music, ancient history, modern languages, religion and theology?
How many professional services staff jobs do they expect to cut after the current round of academic job losses takes place? Is it true that they expect as many as 600 further jobs to go?
What action do they plan to restore trust at home and abroad after these cuts have paralysed the university and damaged its reputation, undermining its position as Wales’s leading research-led university and only Russell Group university?

‘If you are unable to attend the reception, I hope that you will write to the Vice-Chancellor raising these questions.’

A spokesperson for Cardiff UCU said: ‘We are currently balloting members on strike action. The mood in the University is angry and people are committed to doing what is necessary to save their jobs. Senior managers need to understand that the union will follow the University and pose these kinds of questions wherever it goes, whether that be the House of Lords or Kazakhstan, where it has been announced that teaching will start this autumn.

‘The University Executive Board’s actions have seriously damaged Cardiff University ’s reputation domestically and internationally. We have considerable staff, student, community, and political support and will mobilise it to pressure them to accept a less draconian and more measured restructuring plan to save jobs and avoid harming the institution irreparably.’

ENDS

Notes for editors:

What is Cardiff UCU?

The cuts at Cardiff University explained:

Cardiff University senior management last week announced cuts to staff and student provision unprecedented in UK higher education. Cardiff UCU, the recognised representative trade union for academic and academic-related staff at the University, condemned the plans as cruel and unnecessary, and is balloting for strike action, and action short of a strike, to fight compulsory redundancies.

From 11am on January 28th staff were invited to a series of briefings in which the alarming scale and depth of the proposed restructure was outlined to them. Many were left shell-shocked and in tears, fearing for their jobs, their students, and the future of what seems likely to be a radically altered University. The announcements were wide-ranging, but included plans to: cut whole departments or programmes (Nursing, Modern Languages, Religion and Theology, Music, and Ancient History were all named); axe 400 academic staff, 7 per cent of the workforce (with the promise of further, likely bigger, cuts to professional services administrative staff later in the year); and merge many existing schools (including the formation of a new department incorporating English, linguistics, archaeology, philosophy, history, Welsh, and remaining modern languages not already cut).

Cardiff UCU’s independent financial analysis of the case for the cuts:

Today’s announcement of a £19 million cash injection for the sector in Wales makes it even more difficult for Cardiff University’s Executive Board to plough ahead with its plans to slash 400 jobs and close entire departments and programmes. Now more than ever it lacks the political cover for it’s cruel and unnecessary cuts.

· The massive cuts hinge on the university chasing a 12% operating surplus on adjusted income (EBIDA). No rationale for this has been provided, except by reference to sector averages;

· This is an ambitious target which is at the core of the austerity plan we are currently facing, the threat of widespread compulsory redundancies and the axing of entire programmes and departments;

· The 12% operating surplus on adjusted income (EBIDA) target may have made sense in a previous era in order to build capital and would make sense for institutions that have very low reserves with the urgent need to maintain financial sustainability, but in Cardiff University’s present financial context with large accessible cash reserves (£188 million as of 31st July 2024, more since the most recent accounts were released).

· This target seems to be prioritising the health of the University’s bank account for its own sake, instead of prioritising the health of the organisation and the lives of its staff. As an organisation run on charitable principles, Cardiff University is not meant to hoard cash beyond what is necessary for the stability of the organisation.

· As mentioned above, Cardiff University currently has about £188 million in accessible cash which it can use to turn things around positively in a more gradual, measured, and sustainable manner over a longer period.

· Lowering the self-imposed and overly ambitious operating surplus target would negate any argument for the need to cut jobs and pose zero risk to the institution.

Cardiff UCU media contacts (languages spoken indicated in brackets)

Dr Joey Whitfield (Cardiff UCU Branch President, English)
Email: whitfieldj1@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone: 07527 703597

Dr Siôn Jones (Welsh, English)
Email: jonessl26@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone: 07925 388867

Dr Renata Medeiros-Mirra (English)
Email: medeirosmirrarj@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone: 07527 703597

Cardiff UCU Office (staffed part time):
E-mail: ucu@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone: 02920 874443
Website: https://www.cardiffucu.org.uk

Media Statement: Cardiff UCU

For immediate release: Thursday 18th February 2025

Cardiff UCU Responds to Welsh Government Announcement of £19 Million for Crisis-Hit Higher Education Sector in Wales

The Welsh Government today announced Universities in Wales will be supported by investment of £18.5 million to help them address the challenges facing the higher education sector, and a further £500,000 to support international recruitment and promotion.

Cardiff UCU Branch President Dr Joey Whitfield said: “Today’s announcement of a £19 million cash injection for the sector in Wales makes it even more difficult for Cardiff University’s Executive Board to plough ahead with its plans to slash 400 jobs and close entire departments and programmes. Now more than ever it lacks the political cover for its cruel and unnecessary cuts. Along with its £188 million in accessible cash, the promised money from Welsh Government gives Cardiff University no excuse to make 400 more of our members redundant.”

Cardiff UCU Media Spokesperson said: “It is hugely encouraging to see the Welsh Government taking the lead in the UK and make a start on materially addressing the Higher Education funding crisis. This will put more pressure on Cardiff University’s management to row back on their brutal and unnecessary cuts, and institute the more gradual, humane recovery plan we’ve argued for all along. We would also urge the Welsh Government to make any new funds conditional upon governance reform and protecting access to, and participation in Welsh Universities. Otherwise, they risk throwing good money after bad.”

-Ends-

Notes for editors:

What is Cardiff UCU?

The cuts at Cardiff University explained:

Cardiff UCU’s independent financial analysis of the case for the cuts:

· The massive cuts hinge on the university chasing a 12% operating surplus on adjusted income (EBIDA). No rationale for this has been provided, except by reference to sector averages;

· This is an ambitious target which is at the core of the austerity plan we are currently facing, the threat of widespread compulsory redundancies and the axing of entire programmes and departments;

· Lowering the self-imposed and overly ambitious operating surplus target would negate any argument for the need to cut jobs and pose zero risk to the institution.

Cardiff UCU media contacts (languages spoken indicated in brackets)

Dr Joey Whitfield (Cardiff UCU Branch President, English)
Email: whitfieldj1@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone: 07527 703597

Dr Siôn Jones (Welsh, English)
Email: jonessl26@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone: 07925 388867

Dr Renata Medeiros-Mirra (English)
Email: medeirosmirrarj@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone: 07527 703597

Cardiff UCU Office (staffed part time):
E-mail: ucu@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone: 02920 874443
Website: https://www.cardiffucu.org.uk

Media Statement: Cardiff UCU

For immediate release: Thursday 13^th February 2025

Cardiff Uni Cuts Will “Fuel an Already Extreme Crisis of Participation” in Welsh Higher Education: Is the Welsh Government “Avoiding” the Issue?

Cardiff University Vice Chancellor Prof Wendy Larner’s brutal cuts, and plans for the future of the institution, will fuel an already-serious crisis of participation in Welsh Higher Education (HE) says Cardiff University’s branch of the University and College Union (Cardiff UCU). Meanwhile, at-risk union members scrutinising Welsh Government communications have questioned the decision of the Minister for Further and Higher Education in Wales Vikki Howells MS to drop a planned update to the Senedd on young people’s participation in education.

Prof Larner’s plans for a post-cuts Cardiff University include raising tariffs to offer fewer spaces to UK “home” students, further prioritising attracting high fee-paying international students, and chasing league table rankings in order to become a smaller, more elite institution with what it calls “higher quality cohorts” of students. This comes as Welsh politicians grapple with a participation crisis in higher education. Currently only 33 per cent of our young people end up going to University, which is the lowest rate in the UK. In London, the figure is 49 per cent and in Northern Ireland, 38 per cent.

Ms Howells has expressed disappointment at the Cardiff University plans but says that no further money will be made available by the Welsh Government to address the crisis and that the UK government needs to review the funding system for UK HE. Government has so far not addressed new revelations about how the proposed restructure at the University will impact participation levels and access to HE places. They will come under increased pressure to do so after it emerged that plans to update Senedd members on post-16 participation in education on 18^th February (announced on 4^th February) had been dropped a week later (in a revised plan posted on 11^th February). UCU representatives are concerned that the Welsh Government is “avoiding the issue” and not publicly intervening in University restructuring plans which would “fuel an already extreme crisis in participation”.

University and College Union (UCU) general secretary Jo Grady said: “In Wales, less than one in three 18-year-olds entered higher education in 2023-24, compared with almost half in London. Now, we learn that some universities are responding to the funding crisis by raising their tariffs and making it even more difficult for Welsh learners to get a place. During the Covid Pandemic, Mark Drakeford intervened to rescue higher education. As Cabinet Secretary for Finance, rather than allowing Welsh Universities to wither on his watch, he must work with Lynne Neagle to stabilize the sector and prevent a damaging cycle of strikes and job losses.”

Cardiff UCU President Dr Joey Whitfield said: “We call on the Welsh Government to do more to address the sector-wide problems facing HE in Wales, as well as the immediate issues at Cardiff University. They need to stop being taken in by the Vice Chancellor’s bland reassurances over job losses and publicly communicate a clear red line over compulsory redundancies, in line with UCU’s argument for drawing on some of its accessible £188m in cash to fund a more gradual recovery. They should intervene to stop the Cardiff University Executive Board’s plan to cut chunks out of the University in a way which would be catastrophic for future learners, the future Welsh workforce, and fuel an already extreme crisis in participation.”

Cardiff UCU Media Spokesperson Dr Andy Williams said: “The University’s cruel and unnecessary cuts plans are dripping with unexamined prejudice which will end up further shutting working class and ethnic minority young people out of Universities in Wales. They say they want to turn Cardiff University into a smaller, more agile institution but seem oblivious to the fact that deprioritising home students, and axing courses like nursing, will just return us to the bad old days when University was for the privileged elite. The Welsh Government is not taking a strong enough line with University bosses. They need to stop avoiding this issue, stop passing the buck to Westminster, and wake up to what these plans mean for staff at risk of redundancy as well as young people in Wales.”

-Ends-

Notes for editors:

What is Cardiff UCU?

Is the Welsh Government avoiding the issue of participation in Welsh Universities?

So far there has been a conspicuous silence from the Welsh Government regarding recent revelations about Cardiff University Executive Board’s plans to re-shape the University along more elite lines. Cardiff UCU is worried about how the wide and deep cuts will affect access to the University for home students, and undo the good work done in recent years to widen participation (especially for minoritised students of different kinds). The Minister dropping her plans to update the Senedd on this issue is cause for further concern. Screenshots outlining this issue are included below.

The cuts at Cardiff University explained:

Cardiff UCU’s independent financial analysis of the case for the cuts:

The massive cuts hinge on the university chasing a 12% operating surplus on adjusted income. No rationale for this has been provided, except by reference to sector averages;

This is an ambitious target which is at the core of the austerity plan we are currently facing, the threat of widespread compulsory redundancies and the axing of entire programmes and departments;

The 12% operating surplus on adjusted income target may have made sense in a previous era in order to build capital and would make sense for institutions that have very low reserves with the urgent need to maintain financial sustainability, but in Cardiff University’s present financial context with large amounts of accessible cash (£188 million as of 31st July 2024, more since the most recent accounts were released).

This target seems to be prioritising the health of the University’s bank account for its own sake, instead of prioritising the health of the organisation and the lives of its staff. As an organisation run on charitable principles, Cardiff University is not meant to hoard cash beyond what is necessary for the stability of the organisation.

As mentioned above, Cardiff University currently has about £188 million in accessible cash which it can use to turn things around positively in a more gradual, measured, and sustainable manner over a longer period.

Lowering the self-imposed and overly ambitious operating surplus target would negate any argument for the need to cut jobs and pose zero risk to the institution.

Cardiff UCU media contacts (languages spoken indicated in brackets)

Dr Joey Whitfield (Cardiff UCU Branch President, English)
Email: whitfieldj1@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone: 07527 703597

Dr Siôn Jones (Welsh, English)
Email: jonessl26@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone: 07925 388867

Dr Renata Medeiros-Mirra (English)
Email: medeirosmirrarj@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone: 07527 703597

Cardiff UCU Office (staffed part time):
E-mail: ucu@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone: 02920 874443
Website: https://www.cardiffucu.org.uk

News Release: Cardiff University Branch, University and College Union (UCU)

For immediate release: Thursday 6th February 2025

No confidence vote for Cardiff University Vice Chancellor Wendy Larner: Unprecedented cuts “a case study in incompetent governance.”

A packed open meeting of the Cardiff University UCU Branch yesterday voted overwhelmingly to hold a no confidence vote in the leadership of Vice Chancellor Prof Wendy Larner and the University’s Executive Board (UEB) over their plans to axe 400 staff and cut schools and programmes in nursing, music, modern languages, ancient history, and religion. Totalling 13 per cent of academic staff at the Uni, the initial 400 job losses will be followed by more cuts to administrative and support staff later this year. Reflecting the anger and uncertainty of staff, at the biggest meeting in the branch’s history 353 voted in favour with only three against (for the full motion see notes to editors below).

The deep cuts at the institution announced last week, along with the manner of their announcement, have damaged the University’s standing at home and abroad, and staff are concerned that the handling of the crisis is causing irreversible damage to the University’s reputation at a very precarious time. Cardiff UCU has repeatedly argued that the cuts are not just cruel, but unnecessary, and hinge upon the University’s overly ambitious plan to achieve a 12% operating surplus year on year. This would make sense if it were a business, or even if it were a University without reserves in excess of £500m (£188m of which are accessible), but it is neither. The UCU insists that a more gradual, less draconian, recovery plan which draws on available cash is still possible (for more on the financial alternatives see notes for editors below).

The vote came as bombshell media leaks from anonymous senior staff members cast further doubt on the competence of the Vice Chancellor and her team, as well as the effectiveness of Cardiff University’s Council as its governing body. Revelations published by Wales Online show the Vice Chancellor Prof Larner admitting that she could have acted to address the University’s financial deficit earlier, and by implication over a longer period with more care for staff lives and the University’s reputation. The report also shows that Prof Larner ignored warnings from University Council to act sooner, suggesting that governance at the University is dysfunctional. The University responded by saying it was being “brave” and making “difficult decisions”.

University and College Union (UCU) general secretary Jo Grady said: “Yesterday’s overwhelming vote of no confidence in the Vice Chancellor reflects the deep-seated anger and frustration within Cardiff University. Staff deserve leadership that fights for their jobs and for the integrity of education, not reckless job cuts that put livelihoods at risk. It is crucial that the administration listens to the voices of those who are dedicated to our students and the future of the institution.”

Cardiff UCU President Dr Joey Whitfield said: “The cruel and unnecessary cuts package announced last week has done significant reputational damage to our university. It’s a case study in incompetent governance. The nature of the plan, and the manner in which it was communicated, demonstrates a dereliction of the duty of care the University executive have for their staff and the duty of stewardship they have over this important institution.

“The cuts will have a profound impact on student recruitment, our students’ wellbeing and security, attracting and retaining academic talent, the university’s relations with the NHS, Welsh and UK Governments, and other key stakeholders, as well as the economic and cultural life of Wales as a whole. It’s no wonder that staff and students have lost confidence in the executive’s leadership.”

“We’ll continue to make the case for a less damaging recovery. To underscore that, we will push for a huge turnout in this no confidence vote, as well as the ballot of our members on industrial action up to and including strikes and a marking boycott. Cardiff staff won’t take this lying down.”

Cardiff UCU Media Spokesperson Dr Andy Williams said: “The anger among our members and Cardiff students is palpable, especially because they see this whole mess is avoidable. The vote of no confidence, along with yet more damaging leaks, are piling pressure on the Vice Chancellor and her team. She now admits she should have acted earlier, and that she ignored the warnings of Council. By implication, this means our financial issues could have been, and should still be, handled at a gentler pace, over a longer period, drawing on our available cash to protect jobs.”

“Council letting the executive fall asleep at the wheel also poses serious questions about the effectiveness of their governance. That the Vice Chancellor’s response to this massive, self-inflicted crisis is to claim she has been ‘brave’, and ask for sympathy over her difficult decisions, is just a slap in the face to the thousands of staff she’s needlessly placed at risk and the students who’s courses she’s trashing.”

-Ends-

Notes for editors:

What is Cardiff UCU?

Full text of motion to go ahead with a vote of no confidence in the Vice Chancellor and University Executive Board (UEB) which passed at an open meeting of the Cardiff UCU branch on Wednesday 5^th February:

“Firstly, and most importantly, we want to express our solidarity with each one of you following the devastating news delivered by the UEB on the 28^th 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 and have consistently urged them to use this money to enact a more gradual, less damaging recovery.

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 propose that 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.

The announcement made on the 28^th of January has done significant reputational damage to our university and the manner in which the proposal was communicated demonstrates a derelict 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.”

The cuts at Cardiff University explained:

Cardiff UCU’s independent financial analysis of the case for the cuts:

The massive cuts hinge on the university chasing a 12% operating surplus on adjusted income (EBIDA). No rationale for this has been provided, except by reference to sector averages;
This is an ambitious target which is at the core of the austerity plan we are currently facing, the threat of widespread compulsory redundancies and the axing of entire programmes and departments;
The 12% operating surplus on adjusted income target may have made sense in a previous era in order to build capital and would make sense for institutions that have very low reserves with the urgent need to maintain financial sustainability, but in Cardiff University’s present financial context with large accessible cash reserves (£188 million as of 31st July 2024, more since the most recent accounts were released).
This target seems to be prioritising the health of the University’s bank account for its own sake, instead of prioritising the health of the organisation and the lives of its staff. As an organisation run on charitable principles, Cardiff University is not meant to hoard cash beyond what is necessary for the stability of the organisation.
As mentioned above, Cardiff University currently has about £188 million in accessible cash which it can use to turn things around positively in a more gradual, measured, and sustainable manner over a longer period.
Lowering the self-imposed and overly ambitious operating surplus target would negate any argument for the need to cut jobs and pose zero risk to the institution.

Cardiff UCU media contacts (languages spoken indicated in brackets)

Dr Renata Madeiros Mirra (Cardiff UCU Branch Chair, English)
Email: renata_jorge@hotmail.com
Phone: 07527 703597

Dr Joey Whitfield (Cardiff UCU Branch President, English)
Email joeywhitfield@gmail.com
Phone 07412 079147

Dr Andy Williams (English)
Email: llantwit@hotmail.com
Phone: 07798 603706

Dr Siôn Jones (Cymraeg)
Email: jonessl26@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone: 07925 388867

Cardiff UCU Office (staffed part time):
E-mail: ucu@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone: 02920 874443
Website: https://www.cardiffucu.org.uk

News Release: Cardiff University Branch, University and College Union (UCU)

For immediate release: Tuesday 28 January 2025

Cardiff University senior management today announced cuts to departments, and degree programmes on a scale that is unprecedented in UK higher education. Cardiff UCU, the recognised representative trade union for academic and academic-related staff at the University, condemned the plans as cruel and unnecessary, vowing to ballot for strike action and fight compulsory redundancies tooth and nail.

The announcements were wide-ranging, but included plans to cut entire departments and programmes. Nursing, Modern Languages, Religion and Theology, Music, and Ancient History were all named. The axe will be taken to 400 staff, 7% of the academic workforce, with the promise of further, possibly bigger, cuts to professional services administrative staff later in the year. There will be mergers of many existing schools including the formation of a new school of “Global Humanities” incorporating English, linguistics, archaeology, philosophy, history and Welsh. Modern Language degrees are to cease.

Senior managers insist that these devastating cuts are needed to balance the books, but Cardiff UCU’s independent expert financial analysis suggests otherwise. At the root of the cuts is a self-imposed plan to chase a 12% surplus on the budget. This would make sense if the University were a business, with the need to pay dividends to shareholders. It would also make sense if the institution had very low reserves (which is also not the case – Cardiff is currently sitting on £188 million in cash reserves). As a union branch, we recognise there are problems with Cardiff’s finances and the funding of UK Higher Education more broadly. But these cuts are avoidable, and we have consistently urged for more cautious action aimed at a more gradual recovery.

Cardiff UCU President Dr Joey Whitfield, himself a member of staff in the threatened School of Modern Languages, said:

“Like all of our colleagues, I’m absolutely shell shocked. The cuts are cruel and avoidable. They’ll damage our members, our students, the city, and Wales as a whole. We will continue to make the case for a more cautious and evidence-based approach, but we’ll also fight any compulsory redundancies tooth and nail.

“We are proud that Cardiff University is currently a world-leading institution. Sadly, after today, the Vice Chancellor is making us world-leader in doling out brutal cuts to its staff and students.

“We are ready for constructive discussions, but there’s been little appetite for real dialogue from the University Executive Board so far. We’re also balloting our members on strike action to oppose compulsory job losses. We think that the widespread and callous nature of the proposed cuts across the institution mean members will be prepared to take decisive strike action in order to save jobs.”

-Ends-

Notes for editors:

Cardiff UCU media contacts (Welsh and English language speakers indicated):

Dr Renata Madeiros Mirra (Cardiff UCU Branch Chair, English)
Email: renata_jorge@hotmail.com
Phone: 07527 703597
Dr Joey Whitfield (Cardiff UCU Branch President, English)
Email joeywhitfield@gmail.com
Phone 07412 079147
Dr Andy Williams (English)
Email: llantwit@hotmail.com
Phone: 07798 603706
Dr Siôn Jones (Cymraeg)
Email: jonessl26@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone: 07925 388867
Cardiff UCU Office (staffed part time):
E-mail: ucu@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone: 02920 874443
Website: https://www.cardiffucu.org.uk