Staff at the University of Sheffield International College (USIC) are set to strike for 10 days from 12th February, after 100% of University and College Union (UCU) members who voted backed industrial action. The decision follows Study Group, the private operator of USIC, placing 36 staff at risk of redundancy by April 2025.
Dr Sam Morecroft, USIC UCU Chair, told Forge Press that strike action is a last resort after three months of failed negotiations with Study Group. Morecroft acknowledged that the strike “will have a damaging impact on students’ education.”
The College serves international students who rely on foundation and pre-master programmes to progress to the University of Sheffield. With strike action planned for 10 days, students face uncertainty over missed teaching and how it might affect their academic progression.
“There will be less teaching staff, larger class sizes, and less dedicated student support at the college.
“We are particularly concerned that the redundancies are likely to have a very negative effect on student progression and support for students with special educational needs,” Morecroft added.
UCU stressed that the strike is not directed at students but at the employer, Study Group. “We understand that students will be angry and frustrated by the disruption to their studies, and we would encourage them to complain to Study Group and the University of Sheffield, who have caused this strike by threatening compulsory redundancies,” Morecroft said.
Morecroft also argued that students should be compensated for the disruption, adding: “We believe that these students should be given fee refunds given the disruption the employer is causing.”
Despite the significance of the strike, UCU claims that neither Study Group nor the University of Sheffield have informed students about the planned action. Morecroft told us that “it will be up to (the staff) to explain why it is happening to students” and confirmed they are producing leaflets to explain the strike to students.
However, a spokesperson for Study Group told Forge Press: “If strike action does go ahead, we will be in touch directly with our students on details about how they will be supported to avoid detriment to their education.”
Study Group also defended their redundancy process, stating that a combination of redeployment and voluntary redundancies meant no compulsory redundancies affecting academic teams were necessary.
The University of Sheffield declined to comment further.
