The Association of University Teachers said Brunel University was on the edge of an industrial relations "abyss" as managers confirmed that two staff had been issued with compulsory redundancy notices, including the AUT branch president.
Sally Hunt, the union's general secretary, said: "I am appalled by the manner in which Brunel is treating its staff and, in particular, this unjustified, direct attack on members of our union."
Brunel says in a statement that "two members of staff have been issued with compulsory redundancy notices as part of the requirement to reduce the number of non-research-active academic staff".