Lecturers at Robert Gordon University vote for strike action in dispute over cuts

Lecturers at Robert Gordon University (RGU) in Aberdeen have voted in favour of industrial action in a dispute over cuts and redundancies.

A ballot organised by Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), Scotland’s largest teaching union, resulted in 83% of lecturers who voted backing strike action.

The EIS has notified the university of the result and called on management to drop a move to make compulsory redundancies.

It was reported last year 130 staff have already left RGU through a voluntary severance scheme but a further 135 redundancies were being considered to save millions of pounds.

General secretary Andrea Bradley said: “This is a clear ballot result, where our members at RGU have indicated their willingness to take strike action, if necessary, to halt the university’s programme of cuts.

“Any refusal by RGU to take the threat of compulsory redundancies off the table will increase the risk of strike action being carried out.”

“The scale of the cuts proposed at RGU is alarming, with significant job losses and a serious impact on learning and teaching across the university.

“The EIS has now informed RGU of the result of the ballot, and again offers the university the opportunity to halt its programme of cuts to bring this dispute to an end and prevent a move to strike action.

“In particular, any refusal by RGU to take the threat of compulsory redundancies off the table will increase the risk of strike action being carried out.

“It is in the best interests of RGU, its students and staff for an agreement to be reached to ensure a positive resolution for all concerned.

“In the meantime, the EIS-ULA (EIS-University Lecturers’ Association) Executive will consider the next steps to be taken in this dispute, buoyed by the positive ballot result that has been achieved.”

Professor Steve Olivier, principal and vice-chancellor of RGU, said: “The university has, at every opportunity, done all that it can to mitigate against the potential of compulsory redundancies.

“This includes the option of staff leaving voluntarily on enhanced terms and, through our redeployment process, having the opportunity of applying for an alternative role within the university.

“We are therefore disappointed that EIS members have decided to vote for strike action.

“We will continue to engage constructively with their representatives during what is an extremely challenging time for the sector.”