ESSEX University students have staged a protest – against their own student union’s actions in making nine staff redundant.

The job cuts have been made at the University of Essex Students’ Union, because officials say it is short of money.

A group of students quickly have rallied round the sacked staff and yesterday demonstrated outside the union building, calling for them to be taken back.

The union has laid off nine people, who between them share six of the 60 permanent posts with the union.

Those dsimissed include the union’s membership services manager, who is responsible for its sports teams and societies.

An administrator in the chief executive office, a lead designer in the publicity department and two duty managers at the SU bar have also lost their jobs.

Mark Bergfeld, a 22-year-old sociology student, led the demonstration.

Claiming the union’s new chief executive, Craig Stephens earned £65,000 – £10,000 more than his predecessor – Mr Bergfield challenged the notion the union was short of money He added: “The SU believes its own members, the students, don’t have a right to discuss this matter.”

The protest attracted about 20 students, but organisers say the 340-strong membership of an group on the Facebook social networking site, set up to support the staff proves many more students are concerned.

Elizabeth Mantzari, 26, who is studying accounting, said: “The people who are taking action and getting involved are a broad range of students.

“There are more people concerned than those here today. There is a lot of interest on the Facebook group. It’s a very good start.”

Union president Ibby Mehmet, said: “Due to the current financial climate and changing patterns in student spending, the University of Essex Students’ Union has been forced to undertake a full review of its operations.

“In the absence of further funding, we have had to make the extremely difficult decision to make six permanent staff positions redundant.”

The union, which is funded by the university, is in discussions, with university bosses in an effort to get more cash.

A Student Union general meeting will be held on November 24 at which students will be able to discuss the issue with managers and elected representatives.

Nobody at the union was able to confirm Mr Bergfeld’s claims about the chief executive’s salary before the Gazette went to press.