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Following a number of meetings last week, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø and the UCU (in consultation with Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø's two other campus trade unions) have reviewed progress in achievement of this year's 6% budget improvement. Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø is actively committed to avoiding compulsory redundancy and has a strong track record in this regard. Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø has confirmed that the Dean of Life Sciences plans to advise Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø Council, no later than 14th May, that a Redundancy Committee to reduce the number of academic posts in the Faculty will not be necessary. She will be able to do this as soon as all volunteers have been able to formally confirmÌý acceptance of their voluntary severance and early retirementÌý packages.

Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø has confirmed that suitable alternative employment can be offered to all UCU members displaced in the current change programmes to achieve this year's budget improvement in the Registry, Life Sciences Administration, Library Services and Museums & Collections. Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø has established a Joint Consultative Group to review future workforce planning and to revise Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø's organisational change and redeployment policies in light of recent experience.

As a result of these assurances the UCU has today agreed to suspend its dispute and the strike action called for 5th May will not now go ahead.