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Staff at two universities in Scotland are set to engage in a one-day strike due to the looming threat of compulsory redundancies. Members of the EIS union at Robert Gordon University (RGU) in Aberdeen and the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) have deemed strike action as a final resort after both institutions remained steadfast in plans to slash hundreds of jobs. This standoff has led to a scene where workers at three universities in the country are simultaneously on strike, following a five-day action initiated by University of Edinburgh employees over budgetary cuts.
According to RGU, nearly 190 positions have been axed as a result of redundancies announced back in November, with only 18 being compulsory. The remaining 170 roles were part of voluntary severance, the university stated. The EIS, however, has criticized these job losses as “short-sighted,” expressing concerns regarding the increased workload for the remaining staff. At UWS, more than 94% of members voted in favor of industrial action during a recent ballot.
Andrea Bradley, the EIS general secretary, voiced apprehensions about the detrimental impact the proposed cuts would have on staff, students, and local communities. She emphasized the failure of both universities to guarantee no compulsory redundancies, leading members to resort to strike action. RGU maintained a commitment to avoiding compulsory job losses and stressed the need to evolve to meet varying needs within the sector while striving for long-term sustainability.
In Edinburgh, UCU members have been visible on picket lines across the city’s university sites since Monday in protest against proposed cuts amounting to £140 million. The union highlighted the university’s refusal to rule out compulsory redundancies as part of their cost-cutting measures, putting up to 1,800 jobs at stake. They argued that the institution, described as one of the wealthiest in the country, could tap into reserves or reduce capital expenditure instead of cutting staff. The university’s principal and vice-chancellor, Prof Sir Peter Mathieson, acknowledged severe financial challenges and defended the institution’s transparency in conveying these impacts to the public
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