The University and College Union (UCU) began strikes in March over the university’s plans to cut the salary bill by £20m, equivalent to the loss of around 300 jobs.
After four months of disruption, the dispute was settled when the University confirmed that more than 200 academics had accepted voluntary redundancy, allowing it to achieve the savings target.
"A blueprint for other branches to resist the job cuts that are affecting nearly every single university in this country"
Newcastle University UCU described the outcome as "a massive win for the branch" on their social media platform, stating the action could serve as “a blueprint for other branches to resist the job cuts that are affecting nearly every single university in the country.”
Newcastle University released a statement stating "both parties have agreed terms to end the current industrial action" but warned on an NUConnect noticeboard that "financial challenges we are responding to have not gone away".
The cuts came amidst reports that the university was facing a £35m shortfall in funding, linked to a decline in international student numbers - a drop which has been seen across the UK following changes to student visa requirements.
Students affected by the strike action were offered compensation for the disruption to teaching, with over £2.4m being claimed to date. The scheme offered £100 per disrupted module for home students, and £200 per module for international students.
With other universities across the country facing similar disputes over redundancies, the success of Newcastle’s 44-day strike action and the consequent compensation scheme could set a precedent for industrial action in the higher education sector in the future.