CARDIFF UNIVERSITY has placed more than 1,100 more staff at risk of redundancy as it embarks on its second restructuring project this year, the University and College Union (UCU) said.

The plans affect members of Professional Services. Together with the 1,800 academic staff who were put at risk of redundancy in January, at least 41 per cent of the university’s staff are at risk of losing their current jobs in a single year. 

The university’s proposals remove and downgrade many jobs and open a voluntary redundancy scheme for staff who have been working “non-stop” to quell the chaos sparked by the most recent round of restructuring, said UCU.

Multiple classes have been scheduled for the same tutor at the same time and in one case 100 students were sent to a toilet block instead of a lecture theatre. 

A UCU representative said: “Our professional services staff have been breaking their backs to keep this institution running.

“To leave thousands of these staff with no idea what type of job they will return to after Christmas is cruel.”

A senior professional services staff member added: “I am being asked to make a major decision about whether to take voluntary redundancy without any understanding of what my future role will look like, after spending the majority of my career working for this institution. 

“This is creating significant stress, particularly as the decision falls so close to the Christmas period, a time that should be spent with my family rather than facing uncertainty about employment and income.”

A Unite representative, who represents Professional Services workers, said: “Professional services staff have worked tirelessly to keep the university running. 

“Launching this process before the festive season is deeply concerning and risks eroding staff goodwill. We urge leadership to act with transparency, empathy, and genuine collaboration.”

A Cardiff University spokesperson said: “For the avoidance of doubt there will be roles for everyone in the new structures proposed. 

“No compulsory redundancies are planned as part of these proposals. 

“However, a precautionary Section 188 notice has been issued to our recognised trade unions and impacted staff have received formal notification of the proposals as part of this process. This is our agreed consultation process.”