University of Dundee staff balloted on strike action over proposed job cuts

Members of a lecturers’ union at the University of Dundee are being balloted on strike action in a dispute over proposed job cuts and compulsory redundancies.

The university recently announced a projected shortfall of up to £30m, partly as a result of a fall in recruitment of international students.

In an email to staff in November, then-principal and vice-chancellor Professor Iain Gillespie said the financial situation made a reduction in staff numbers “inevitable”.

The University and College Union (UCU) has called on the university to “urgently reconsider” the proposed cuts, warning of a “devastating” impact on those made redundant and their families, on the reputation of the institution, and on the student experience.

It added that despite “repeated requests”, the university had failed to provide evidence of the need for cuts, or the likely scale of job losses.

The strike ballot, which opened on Thursday and runs until January 30, will see UCU members at the university asked whether they are willing to take part in walkouts and action short of a strike.

Melissa D’Ascenzio, University of Dundee UCU branch spokeswoman, called for “honest engagement” by the university on the issue.

“University senior managers need to urgently reconsider these brutal cuts and instead work with the union to rule out compulsory redundancies and to find a solution to the university’s problems,” she said.

“With a seeming exodus of senior management, the UCU branch want to play our part in safeguarding jobs and the university’s future, but we can only do that if senior managers are open and honest with us about the university’s position.

“Cuts will have a devastating impact on the people made redundant and their families, but also to the university’s reputation and the student experience.

“The first step is for honest engagement and for the university to commit to no compulsory redundancies.”

The UCU represents more than 120,000 academics, lecturers and other staff at universities, colleges and other education and training bodies across the UK.

The University of Dundee has been approached for comment