Industrial action suspended

Joint statement between Cardiff University, UCU, Unison and Unite.

Following yesterday’s emergency general meeting (Thursday 1 May) we are pleased to confirm that the University and College Union (UCU) has agreed to suspend all industrial action under their current mandate for 2025. This includes a marking and assessment boycott.

University Executive Board (UEB) has in turn agreed to rule out compulsory redundancies for all staff connected to Academic Future and the wider transformation programme, before the end of the 2025 calendar year.

Positive and constructive talks took place between members of UEB and the campus trade unions earlier this week. We are grateful to ACAS (the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) for their engagement.

Colleagues from UCU, Unison, Unite and the University Executive Board confirmed our collective desire to work in partnership for the benefit of staff, students and our wider University community.

The consultation on the current Academic Future proposals ends on 6 May 2025. UEB has agreed to an extended consultation period until 30 June 2025 to allow for further Trade Union discussion and engagement to inform the final proposals that are presented to Council on 17 June and related decisions directly following this.

Trade union colleagues have emphasised the need for further clarity for those staff who remain in-scope. Valid questions have been raised about the outcome of the consultation process, and when staff will be informed of those outcomes.

An interim timetable, showing what happens between now and the Council meeting on 17 June, will be published shortly. That Council meeting is the point at which we can give a definitive update on plans and their impact on staff and their at-risk status.

UEB recognises the very real human impact that the Academic Future project has had, and the impact on our academic and professional services staff, and students. We have agreed to work in partnership to assess the steps that we can take to ensure that we build trust and look after the health and wellbeing of our staff and students. This includes involving the unions in informing decision-making processes moving forward and beyond the legally required formal consultations.

UEB also wishes to thank UCU, Unite and Unison for their constructive engagement and for the support they have given staff throughout the Academic Futures consultation.

We will continue to keep all staff and students updated.

University Executive Board, University and College Union (UCU), Unison and Unite.