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Lecturers at the University of Dundee have commenced an unprecedented five-week strike in response to the looming threat of compulsory job cuts. Members of the University and College Union (UCU) are refraining from conducting lectures, seminars, or tutorials until after 23 October. Despite the industrial action, the university has stated it expects most classes to continue as normal starting Monday, aiming to reduce the disruption experienced by students during the strike period.
This latest strike is part of an ongoing dispute that traces back nearly two years to a £30 million budget shortfall announced by the university. Since that announcement, the institution has seen 675 jobs eliminated through voluntary redundancies, while receiving financial support amounting to £40 million from the Scottish government and £22 million from the Scottish Funding Council. In June, the university proposed further cuts involving 187 posts, which was later reduced to 154 by August. According to UCU officials, 149 applications for voluntary redundancy have been submitted, a number that should ideally prevent compulsory layoffs.
Dr. Melissa D’Ascenzio, co-president of the Dundee UCU branch, emphasized the reluctant nature of the strike, stating, “None of our members want to go on strike for five weeks, this is absolutely last resort that we’ve come to.” She also highlighted the university’s stance, noting that it “is still refusing to remove the threat of compulsory redundancy,” and criticized the lack of attempts to reach an agreement that might avoid prolonged disruption. Previously, the lecturers had undertaken a three-week strike in February of the prior year, with earlier redundancy rounds targeting professional services staff. However, this summer’s proposals have focused explicitly on lecturers and researchers.
Student representatives have acknowledged the potential impact of the strike on learners. Tom Christisen, president of the Dundee University Students’ Association (DUSA), commented on the situation: “At the same time, we recognise why staff have reached this point. The prospect of compulsory redundancy has created significant uncertainty for colleagues about their jobs and futures at Dundee.” Although UCU members have adopted a work-to-contract approach, rejecting unpaid additional duties such as weekend open days, there is no current marking or assessment boycott. Measures from prior strikes, including a no-detriment policy to protect students from being penalized due to disruption, are expected to be reinstated.
The university maintains it respects the right of its staff to take industrial action and will attempt to collaborate constructively with UCU throughout the dispute. University spokespeople anticipate that while the strike will cause some variation in activity across departments, most student contact and classes will proceed as usual. The Scottish government, while unable to intervene directly, has encouraged both the university and trade unions to engage in constructive dialogue to resolve the conflict, emphasizing that industrial action benefits no one, especially the students
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