Open University staff at a regional centre in Boars Hill, Oxford, will go on strike tomorrow following university’s decision to push ahead with regional centre closures.

Members of the University and College Union (UCU) at the Oxford Open University regional centre are taking part in a second one-day walk-out over plans to close seven regional centres, putting 502 jobs at risk.

The proposals were approved at a meeting of the university’s council last week, despite widespread opposition from staff, students and politicians.

The Oxford strike will be the third in a series of regional one-day walk-outs taking place up and down the country.

It follows a national strike last Wednesday, which saw staff in all 13 Open University centres take action against the plans.

The strikes are the first time staff have walked out over a local dispute in the university’s history.

The seven centres earmarked for closure are in Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Gateshead, Leeds, London and Oxford.

If the Boars Hill centre closes remaining staff would have to work in Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire.

A petition against the closures received over 6,600 signatures, and the university’s senate had rejected the plans describing them as “very high risk” and saying that they “failed to support the academic mission of the university”.

Staff in the local offices evaluate and support students with disabilities, provide course materials, assign tutorial groups, run examination arrangements, advise on study options and manage the popular degree ceremonies.

UCU Open University branch president Pauline Collins said: "Closing seven regional centres will lead to chaos for students and staff alike. If the Oxford centre closes, the university will lose its visible presence in the city, and all the local expertise which has been built up by staff working here.

"Nobody wants to take strike action, but we have no alternative.

"These closures are opposed by staff, students, and politicians alike. The university needs to listen to our concerns and urgently reconsider its position."

UCU members will be picketing at the Oxford office from 8am tomorrow.