Strike action spreads across Scottish universities

Strike action is to take place at three Scottish universities as hundreds face redundancy.

The sector is in the midst of a financial squeeze which has put jobs on the line.

Union members at the University of Edinburgh are holding five days of action this week as the institution plans major budget cuts. Workers at Robert Gordon University (RGU) in Aberdeen and the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) will also hold a one-day walk-out over losses planned by their employers.

The wave of industrial action may spread to yet more higher education sites, with staff at the University of the Highlands and Islands being balloted in relation to cuts there.

The EIS trade union said strikes at RGU, where 190 jobs have been lost, and UWS, where the equivalent of 75 futll-time roles are to go, were a “last resort” over “short-sighted” cuts that will hit staff, students and communities. General secretary Andrea Bradley said: “Our members are resolute in their fight to defend their jobs and protect the quality of education at RGU and UWS.

“Staff are being forced to take strike action as neither university has made any attempt to resolve their respective disputes, instead deciding to push forward with plans to make staff redundant.”

In Edinburgh, the UCU union said bosses had refused to rule out compulsory redundancies in pursuit of £140m of savings. Around 1,800 posts are thought to be under threat. University principal Peter Mathieson said cuts were a result of “serious and urgent financial challenges”.

RGU said it is committed to avoiding compulsory redundancies and any changes “will be approached with care, transparency, and a commitment to minimising impact, guided by our shared goal of long-term sustainability and success”.

UWS said it hopes to avoid compulsory redundancies and is in “an ongoing consultation process” with unions. A spokesperson said: “UWS has seen a significant reduction in funded places from the Scottish Funding Council and our plan for a change in the academic workforce aligns with that reduction in funding. Since 2022/23, the overall funded places have reduced from 12,735.3 to 10,850 for the coming year; a fall of more than 1,800 places.

“The challenge facing UWS is not unique, and throughout the process we have focused on ensuring we continue to deliver an excellent student experience and enhanced graduate outcomes – it is a matter of significant regret that the planned industrial action is highly likely to have a detrimental impact on our new and continuing students as they start a new academic year.”