Dundee University staff 'overwhelmingly' back strike action in fight for jobs

More than a hundred members of staff at Dundee University “overwhelmingly” backed strike action in the fight for jobs and the cash-strapped institution’s long-term future.

Unite the union revealed on Friday that around 70% of their 170 members at Dundee voted in favour of strike action as the university continues to grapple with a £35m deficit.

Chiefs previously admitted that inadequate financial discipline and control, inadequate oversight, and gaps in competence were at least partially to blame.

As a result, the institution announced that it is planning to cut 632 “full-time equivalent” jobs across departments.

The interim principal Shane O’Neill stated in a recent letter to the Scottish parliament that over 700 individuals were likely to be affected by the job losses.

In the face of these challenges, Unite the union confirmed on Friday that there will be a rally of trade unionists, community activists, students and workers outside of Dundee’s Caird Hall following an emergency motion at the annual Scottish Trades Union Congress event on Tuesday, April 29.

A march involving trade unions and students will also assemble at the university’s Tower Building at noon which will set off to join STUC delegates for the rally at 12.30pm outside the Caird Hall.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite is totally committed to protecting the livelihoods of hundreds of our members at Dundee university. Unite will support our members every step of the way in defence of their jobs.”

Unite is also backing demands for the Scottish government’s external taskforce to spearhead measures to protect livelihoods and sustain the future of the university.

As part of the initial discussions, the union has welcomed the removal of an initial threat to workers that they could face redundancy.

“Unite welcomes recent steps to remove an immediate redundancy threat to hundreds of workers. The threat to our members’ jobs, however, remains very real. We need every tool in defence of jobs and livelihoods, which is why this industrial action mandate is vital,” Katrina Currie, Unite industrial officer, said.

Elsewhere, lecturers and support staff at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) are also being balloted for potential strike action.

Both the EIS and Unison asked for a no-compulsory-redundancy guarantee amid the university’s financial challenges and organisational change project, but Unison told BBC Scotland News that the university has so far refused to remove the threat.

At the Univeristy of Edinburgh, it was confirmed that around 350 members of staff have taken voluntary redundancy.

The institution announced it would have to cut £140 million from its budget to plug a black hole earlier this year, with job cuts likely.

On Thursday, principal Professor Sir Peter Mathieson announced the number of staff who have voluntarily taken redundancy.

“The university’s voluntary severance scheme has concluded and around 350 staff will take voluntary severance, which will deliver year-on-year savings of approximately £18 million,” he said in a statement.

“We are continuing to look at all aspects of cost reduction across the university and this includes both staff and non-staff operating costs.

“Alongside recruitment constraints and a pause in academic promotions, further work will be needed to achieve a stable and sustainable staff base in the long-term and we are taking time to consider our approach.”

The EIS vote will close on Friday, May 9, and Unison’s vote on May 15.

A spokesperson for Dundee University said: “We have had notification from Unite of the ballot result and we will wait to hear more from the union on any action. We will continue to engage with all of our campus unions as we work towards a financial recovery.”