Zarah ChoudharyStudents in Liverpool are facing disruption during key exam periods as hundreds of members of Unite employed at the University of Liverpool ballot for industrial action over changes to hybrid working.
Over 340 professional services staff, including administrative employees who play a part during these times, are currently being balloted.
This comes as employees were told they must have a minimum of 60% attendance working on-site from 1st April 2025.
Since the end of the Covid lockdown, staff undertaking hybrid working have been asked to work from campus two days a week.
However, university management have now mandated them to increase their time spent working on site.
Sharon Graham, general secretary at Unite, said: “The University of Liverpool is guilty of making heavy handed management diktats without any thought to the effect it will have on its dedicated workforce.
“The demand to return to the workplace is not fit for purpose and needs to be shelved.
“Our members at Liverpool University have the absolute support of Unite in their dispute.”
The Unite ballot closes on 9th April, and strikes could begin in late April.
Sam Marshall, general secretary at Unite, said: “The vice chancellor has just decided that everybody should come back on campus to work, but there has been a complete failure to consult with our members.
“This change has been introduced without prior negotiation with Unite, despite the impact on the working conditions, health and safety, and personal circumstances of affected workers.
“Strike action will inevitably cause severe disruption including during exam periods but this dispute is entirely of the University’s management’s own making.”
The University and College Union (UCU) which also represents workers at the university is currently balloting its members over the same issue.
A University of Liverpool spokesperson said, “We are aware of the current ballot for industrial action and, should the trade unions achieve a mandate, we will have the necessary mitigations in place to seek to ensure students will not be adversely impacted.
“We offer progressive employment practices and a wide range of options which provide colleagues with flexibility and choice and support work-life balance.
“Many staff already spend all or most of their working time on campus and the change to at least 60% for those who work part of their time from home is intended to strike the right balance as a face-to-face higher education provider.
“It will both enhance the experience of campus for our students and improve the impact colleagues have in their roles by spending more time together, whilst retaining the benefits and positives which staff value about working remotely.
“Colleagues who have personal circumstances, such as caring responsibilities or disabilities, which may make it challenging for them to move to the proposed new arrangements, have been encouraged to speak to their managers in order that individual adjustments can be made where necessary.
“Formal consultation with our recognised trade unions has taken place in line with our agreed procedures.”
