Glasgow Caledonian University staff walk out in strike against job cuts

Staff at Glasgow Caledonian University have begun the first of three days of strike action in a dispute over planned job cuts and “possible compulsory redundancies”.

Members of the University and College Union (UCU) are on the picket line on Wednesday and Thursday this week over proposals by senior managers to cut up to 100 posts.

A further day of action is also planned for August 4 after the majority of members supported strike action. Staff will also work to contract, not undertake voluntary duties or cover for absent colleagues.

The UCU says these jobs cuts are “a choice” rather than financial necessity and senior managers risk “real reputational damage” to the university.

The university says the changes are necessary to return the uni to a “financially sustainable position”. It says campuses will be open as normal and it is aiming to minimise disruption to students.

Karen Lorimer, GCU UCU branch president, said: “Staff are increasingly concerned that senior management appear more willing to preserve large cash reserves and pursue significant capital investment projects than to protect jobs and the staff who deliver the university’s teaching, research and widening access mission.

“We want to work with management meaningfully to try and help identify savings, but we’re clear that this engagement needs to be genuine and purposeful and that the threat of compulsory redundancies also needs to be taken off the table.

“If the new principal and her senior management team continue on the course they’ve set without listening to staff and students then they risk GCU suffering real reputational damage.

“The last thing staff want to do is to be on strike but unless we see progress and the threat of compulsory redundancies lifted then these three strikes days will be just the start, and future strikes may also see other campus unions joining UCU on the picket line.”

A spokesperson for GCU said: “Our priority is to minimise any disruption to our students and ensure they continue to receive the support they need to succeed.

“Our campuses will be open as normal and the majority of facilities and services will be available.  

“The changes we need to make are necessary to return the university to a financially sustainable position, protect the quality of the student experience and outcomes, and ensure GCU continues to serve Glasgow for years to come.” 