Two-year Dundee University job dispute with UCU union ends as redundancy agreement reached

A two-year jobs dispute between a union and the University of Dundee has come to an end, after an agreement over compulsory redundancies was reached.

The Dundee institution has been locked in a battle with the University College Union (UCU) since 2024, as the university slashed its workforce due to financial pressures.

Hundreds of staff have already left after the then principal announced an unforeseen deficit of £30m two years ago.

Around 815 jobs have been axed as part of cost-cutting measures, while senior management announced further plans to axe another 200 posts in June 2026.

North East & Tayside

University of Dundee staff begin five-week strike over job cuts

Members of the University and College Union are taking part in the action, which is scheduled to run until October 23.

In September, UCU members walked out on strike for five weeks at the start of the academic year over the ongoing dispute.

However, on Saturday, it emerged that compulsory redundancies have now been taken off the table until August 2028, under an agreement with UCU that strikes relating to the matter do not continue.

A voluntary redundancy scheme will remain in place into the new year.

Nathan Morrison, Scotland official for UCU, said the agreement comes following an “incredibly difficult” year for staff at the university.

He said: “This agreement sets out a plan for stability and a return to normality from next year.

“Today’s agreement allows for a voluntary redundancy scheme until the end of 2026 to be followed in the new year by a commitment from management to there being no compulsory redundancies until August 2028. As long as there are no compulsory redundancies the union is committed to there being no strikes relating to the local dispute at the university.

“This has been an incredibly difficult two years for everyone, but I am hopeful that the future looks brighter as a result of the hard work and actions of every member of Dundee UCU branch who have voted for and taken action to defend jobs.”

North East & Tayside

Dundee University loses out on £7m funding amid doubts over finances

Dundee UCU are asking if the university’s financial situation is as severe as they claim amid ongoing concerns over staff cuts

The agreement comes after it was revealed in October that the institution had been barred by the Scottish Funding Council from accessing £7m, after breaching conditions for government funding.

The UCU had questioned the severity of the financial situation and argued the decision raised “serious questions” over the scale of job cuts persued by the university.

Following the redundancy agreement, Mr Morrison thanked new Dundee University principal Angela Scott for “engaging meaningfully” with the UCU branch.

Ms Scott took up the role in October from interim principal Professor Nigel Seaton.

Mr Morrison continued: “Principals across Scotland should learn from her actions and willingness to engage with the union to find an agreement which after many months of trouble, stress for staff and disruption for students has resulted in good news for the university and for the city of Dundee.”

The University of Dundee has been contacted for comment.