Sheffield Hallam staff begin strike action amid ‘wave of attacks’ on academic staff
Teachers and lecturers at Sheffield Hallam University have kickstarted strike action, in a move which is expected to lead to delays in student graduations
The latest round of strikes at Sheffield Hallam University began today (Wednesday, May 27), with staff sharing scathing views about management’s proposed cuts to staff numbers, while also expressing concerns about a number of other decisions made by senior management.
Annaliese Connolly, the vice chair of the university UCU branch told The Star: “We are striking over compulsory redundancies, job losses and also the university's proposal to employ staff via a subsidiary company.
“We are very much hoping that the university executive board will enter into negotiations with UCU Hallam. So far their engagement with us has been limited.”
Ruth Berseford, who is serving as a negotiator for the UCU added: “Management have proposed wholesale attacks on our terms and conditions.
“This is the third wave of attacks on staff in the last few years and I’m really concerned not only for what it means for our jobs but also the Sheffield city region.
“Some research that was done years ago found that every job here at Hallam created another two and half jobs in the local economy. We’ve lost over 1,000 staff in the last few years here at Hallam across academic professional staff through a combination of severance, redundancy and not replacing people when they leave.
“I know loads of people that have been affected. These are my colleagues, friends and also loads of others that are under attack here at Hallam. And sadly I have had to say goodbye to loads of colleagues.
“I’d like to see management be more open to discussions and talk about what the future of the university is. To see a model for the university where we don’t just look at how to cut things back and that we acknowledge why we’re in the financial state we’re in. We want management to take redundancy off the table and preserve our terms and conditions.
“Cutting things is not the way to make the university strong.”
Ben Abell, branch secretary of the UCU branch, expressed deep concerns about another controversial measure which would see many employees move off the generous, industry standard Teacher’s Pension Scheme (TPS) by instead contracting staff under a subsidiary company and not the university itself.
He explained: “We’re striking to make sure people aren’t made redundant. We’re also deeply concerned that they are starting a subsidiary company to get out of their legal obligations for the public pension scheme, the teacher’s pensions scheme we’re currently in. And there’s a range of other employment conditions that they are trying to take away. Ones that have been in place for the last 30 years.”
“People have been deeply affected and I have heard lots of quite harrowing stories about how demolarised people are by the situation.”
This latest round of strikes comes after the union held 16 days of strike action starting in November 2025 in response to an email from leaders in September stating plans to axe £23m from staffing costs.
The full list of 18 strike days planned includes:
Week 1: Wednesday, May 27 to Friday, May 29
Week 2: Monday, June 1 to Friday, June 5
Week 3: Monday, June 8 to Friday, June 12
Week 4: Monday, June 15 to Friday, June 19.
In a statement to students, Sheffield Hallam University said: “UCU has asked members to take part in 'action short of strike' (ASOS) from May 27. This is when participating staff limit some aspects of their work, but they don’t stop working altogether.
“During strike action we’ll do everything we can to reduce the impact on you and your studies.
“The university, helpdesks and other student services will all remain open as normal. If you are on campus, you can use University learning facilities, such as libraries and study spaces in the usual way.
“Although we will make every effort to contact you about any changes to or cancellations of scheduled in-person teaching or online learning, we may not know about any changes until after the event. Please be aware that staff members are not obliged to tell the University in advance of their intention to participate in the strike.
“We advise you to attend any scheduled sessions as normal unless you are informed otherwise.
“If the member of staff scheduled to deliver your session does not arrive after 10 minutes of the planned start time, please assume that they will not attend because of industrial action. If you are on campus, you can use other university learning facilities. You will be advised by your School or Institute as soon as possible about arrangements to make up for teaching or learning lost as a result of strike action.
“Staff are not paid for the days on which they take strike action, and 100 per cent of the pay withheld from staff who take action is used to provide financial support for students.
“We're committed to minimising disruption to your studies, in line with guidance set out by the Office for Students.”