Marvin OnumonuHundreds of Unite members at the University of Liverpool are set to strike over changes to hybrid working.
Workers will walk out on 20th June and 21st June, which are key open days.
University management decided to increase on-campus working from 40% to 60% of the week without negotiating with unions.
Unite said some managers had already started pushing staff to attend campus more by setting up in-person meetings ahead of the change.
Sharon Graham, general secretary at Unite, said: “Management at Liverpool University have tried to ride roughshod over its staff’s work, well-being and personal lives.
“Rather than issuing diktats it should treat workers fairly and decently.
“Unite is totally committed to protecting the jobs, pay and conditions of members and Liverpool University workers will receive the total support of their union.”
Unite said the move would damage work-life balance and make it harder for staff with families.
The union also raised health and safety issues, pointing out that many offices had been turned into meeting rooms or storage after Covid, leaving staff to hot desks where possible.
Staff were told by management to host meetings in pubs and cafes, which some called unprofessional and said showed there was not enough campus space.
Sam Marshall, regional officer at Unite, said: “Strike action will cause huge disruption across the university campus but this is entirely the fault of university management which has refused to listen to its workers and openly negotiate.
“The University of Liverpool leadership can stop the planned industrial action by being willing to negotiate in good faith.”
University management offered to involve the conciliation service Acas if strike action was cancelled, but Unite rejected this.
A rally is set for 1pm this Friday, 20th June at the Harold Cohen library, with press invited.
A University of Liverpool spokesperson said: “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.”
The spokesperson added: “Colleagues who have personal circumstances, such as caring responsibilities or disabilities, which may make it challenging for them to move to the new arrangements, have been encouraged to speak to their managers in order that individual adjustments can be made where necessary.
“Careful planning has taken place to seek to ensure that prospective students will be not be adversely impacted by industrial action.
“Formal consultation with our recognised trade unions has taken place in line with our agreed procedures and, while agreement was not reached, dialogue has been maintained to try to resolve the remaining areas of concern raised.”
