LECTURERS have threatened to strike over the closure of Manchester Metropolitan University’s Crewe campus.

Members the University and College Union (UCU) at both the Manchester and Crewe campuses will be asked tomorrow if they are prepared to take strike action.

The ballot closes on May 8.

The dispute centers on the future of more than 160 academic staff based at the south Cheshire site.

University bosses confirmed on February 10 that the Crewe campus will close in the summer of 2019.

The union says it has been forced to ballot members for strike action after a proposal to postpone redundancies scheduled for this summer was rejected.

Martyn Moss, UCU regional official, said: “It’s a scandal that the university is prepared to throw years of academic talent and experience on the scrapheap without proper consideration of alternatives.

“We believe that there needs to be a pause on proposed job losses for this summer as we try and work through the issues. We thought that was the university’s position as well.

“Members have had enough of being messed around and feel their only option is to ballot for industrial action – something which is always a last resort.

“We hope the university will now engage in meaningful negotiations with a desire to resolve the dispute without the need for any strike action.”

A MMU spokesman confirmed it has been given notice by UCU that it intends to ballot its members on industrial action.

The spokesman said: “The University and College Union (UCU) has given notice to the University that it intends to ballot its members on industrial action.

“The difficult decision to withdraw from the Cheshire campus was taken with deep regret to ensure the University’s sustainability following a large drop in student numbers.

“Sadly, some jobs will be at risk but the University will do its utmost to minimise the impact.

“We will continue to work closely with the UCU and campus unions to support staff who may be affected, in addition to the redeployment schemes that are in place while also maintaining a strong staff base for students.”