Middlesex University is to axe 90 posts but will not say whether cuts will affect staff at the borough's campuses in Hendon and Cockfosters.

A university spokeswoman said it was hoped jobs would go through redeployment or voluntary redundancy. But the move which was revealed to staff via an e-mail from vice-chancellor Mike Driscoll minutes after unions were informed has angered Unison.

"I can understand them wanting to inform staff as soon as possible but some might think it was indecent haste," said branch secretary Andrew Tremayne.

He added that underperforming departments had already been identified by Middlesex and an e-mail to staff hinted who might be "for the chop". Middlesex is hoping to cut £1.5million from its wages bill split equally between academic and administrative staff. The university needs to make savings to fulfil plans for a new super-campus in the Lea Valley.

It is still hoping to increase student numbers by up to 30,000. At a meeting last week union members voted in favour of a ballot on industrial action should redundancies take place. Up to 200 staff are expected to lobby a meeting of Middlesex University's governors at the Trent Park campus in Cockfosters on July 9.

MATTHEW NIXSON