by Our News Desk

LONDON Metropolitan University staff will lobby its board of governors and lay out plans for industrial action today, after voting to strike in protest at more than 165 job cuts.

Two-thirds of University and College Union (UCU) members at the north London university yesterday voted Yes to strike action, while 71 per cent supported action short of a strike.

UCU members will meet today to discuss the next steps over the proposed job losses which will include academic and professional support staff.

Staff and students are also set to lobby the university’s board of governors from 4.30-6pm at Central House, 59-63 Whitechapel High Street.

They are calling on governors to work with them to develop an alternative plan to help to secure the university’s future.

A petition against the job cuts has already received widespread support from politicians, union leaders, staff and students.

UCU regional official Barry Jones said: “Our ballot result shows that many staff firmly believe making more cuts is the wrong direction for London Metropolitan University.

“This is an inner-city university with an outstanding record of bringing people from disadvantaged backgrounds into higher education.” In 2012-13, half of its students were from minority ethnic communities, compared to just 16 per cent of university students nationally, union research shows.

Half of London Met’s undergraduate entrants in 2012-13 were from the bottom four socio-economic groups, compared to just a third nationally.

Unison have organised in a separate ballot which is due to close on Friday May 22.