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450 redundancies at Ulster University announced by Vice Chancellor on webinar
'Most recent accounts published on the UU website do not indicate the kind of deficit that might lead to such large-scale redundancies' - Cllr Shaun Harkin
Reporter:
Catherine McGinty
15 Apr 2026 4:33 PM
Email:
catherinemcginty16@gmail.com
Derry City and Strabane District councillor Shaun Harkin (People Before Profit) has denounced the announcement of up to 450 redundancies at Ulster University (UU).
Following a webinar with staff this afternoon (Wednesday), the UU Vice-Chancellor Paul Bartholomew has issued the following memo:
"I hope that as many as possible had the opportunity to join the Teams Live call this afternoon at which I advised we are proposing to introduce a Staff Rduction Scheme, the recording of which can be seen below this message. A version with captions will be available shortly.
"We recognise the collective effort in the support of income generation and cost controls during what continues to be a hugely challenging operating context for our sector, particularly in Northern Ireland. I have always been clear with colleagues that we are not immune to the sectoral challenges that have so far led to over 100 UK Universities taking the necessary step to introduce reductions in staffing. Aditionally, in our UU context, we have been enacting underfunded Northern Ireland government policy while simultaneously absorbing the additional costs of our multi-campus model.
"Until now, we have held back on any staff severance scheme as we were proactively engaging with the Department for the Economy on the pressing need for a sustainable funding model for Higher Education in Northern Irelandand in relation to UU's particular multi-campus model.
"Regrettably, we have now been informed that no resolution for higher education funding will be forthcoming, and that further cuts to our funding cannot be ruled out. As such, operating as we currently do is no longer a viable option. We must now take additional steps to reduce costs.
"Our decision to now consult on a proposal for a staff reduction scheme has not been taken lightly. I am sure that you all share my disappointment with the wider socio-economic and political decisions within Northern Ireland and beyond that have led to what has become an inevitable and necessary institutional response.
"It is important to reiterate that at this point, we are initiating the statutory 90-day consultation period. This is the beginning of a process, not the end. This consultation period will be used to work through a number of key matters with our Trade Union colleagues including how we might mitigate against the current proposal for redundancies and what the terms of any proopsed scheme might be.
"Once this concludes, and assuming it is determined we must procede with redundancy scheme, we will re-engage with our workforce to share full details of the scheme's operation including the timelines for application and what the selection criteria to be used will be. We will also set out support arrangements for staff who may be interested in finding out more information.
"Please be assured that the Senior Leadership Team and I recognise that this is a difficult period for all of our highly-valued colleagues and we will continue to work closely together and with you, throughout this process to remain true to the values of our University community."
Condemning the resundancies, Cllr Harkin said "This is a shocking announcement. Our thoughts are very much with workers at Magee and right across UU, and their families.
"University expansion should mean investment in staff, not hundreds of redundancies amid a spiralling cost of living crisis," he added.
"It's an abject cowardice of senior leadership at the University to announce such large scale redundancies over a Teams call rather than facing staff in person. This says everything we need to know about overpaid University managers.
"The most recent accounts published on the UU website do not indicate the kind of deficit that might lead to such large-scale redundancies.
"What, then, has caused this situation? Has UU’s management purchased too much property in Belfast to augment the shiny new £350 million buildings in York St that are too small to fit the number of students it has?
"Staff at every level at UU already face overwhelming workloads and the proposed redundancies will see the mental and physical health of workers there further damaged.
“We offer our solidarity to all workers at UU at this time and look forward to joining you on the picket line if and when you decide to fight these job cuts.”
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