A UNIVERSITY has labelled a ballot of its staff for strike action “very unfortunate” and said it is “committed” to avoiding forced redundancies.

The University and College Union (UCU) claims Middlesex University is threatening to axe posts as it meets government cuts and says 300 jobs are on the line.

Employees will be balloted next Tuesday, August 20, and a result is likely to be known by September 21.

Shazia Mowlabaccus, a spokesman for Middlesex University, said: “We remain committed to avoiding the use of compulsory redundancies and have re-opened a voluntary redundancy scheme.

“However, if voluntary redundancy and other cost cutting measures can't fill the funding gap, then we regret that compulsory redundancies are an option.

“We believe it to be very unfortunate that the union should ballot for strike action when the voluntary redundancy scheme has not yet run its course, and the university does not know if compulsory redundancy will be required.”

She said the university is facing “unprecedented” government cuts and must take action to make sure it remains in a strong financial position but stressed student experience remains the top priority.

The union says around half of the proposed cuts will hit academic staff and Sally Hunt, UCU general secretary, said “a strike is on the cards if the university refuses to withdraw its threat of compulsory job losses”.