Staff at four universities vote on possible strike action in disputes over cuts

Lecturers at the University of Stirling are set to vote on possible strike action over proposed budget cuts and job losses.

University and College Union (UCU) members at Aberdeen, Stirling, Heriot-Watt and Strathclyde are being asked whether they support strike action, and also whether they are willing to take action short of a strike.

Action just short of a strike can include things such as working to contract, refusing to cover for absent colleagues or do voluntary activities, and marking and assessment boycotts.

A vote in support of industrial action would see the members deciding what action to take and how to pursue the dispute with their employer.

The union said the move comes after senior management at all four universities refused to rule out compulsory redundancies as part of their attempts to cut costs.

A Stirling UCU spokesperson told the Courier : “We have not seen any justification for further job losses at Stirling.

“We urge the university to revisit its financial strategy and prioritise the protection of jobs over strategic investments. The university is currently restructuring faculties and professional services.

“There is also a Scottish Government-led strategic review on the funding model for Scotland’s universities about to get under way. Any compulsory redundancies in this context is premature.”

At Stirling, 175 staff have already left voluntarily in recent months, but further cuts – including possible compulsory redundancies – are planned, which the union said jarred with principal Gerry McCormac recently becoming the highest-paid principal in the country.

Jo Grady, UCU general secretary told STV: “We’re just days into the New Year and once again universities across Scotland are facing the possibility of industrial action, with members being forced to vote for strike action to defend jobs and force university principals to rule out compulsory redundancies.

“With a record number of jobs being cut across Scottish universities, the principals at Stirling and Heriot-Watt and those at Strathclyde and Aberdeen, who are starting off their time as principals in the most disappointing way, need to listen to their staff and commit to ruling out compulsory redundancies before these disputes escalate into strikes with resulting disruption to students.”

All four strike ballots open on Monday and will remain open into February, with Strathclyde’s ballot closing on February 9, followed by Heriot-Watt and Aberdeen on February 16, and Stirling on February 17.

A University of Stirling spokesperson said: “In an increasingly challenging ans unpredictable external environment – where income generation and cost pressures are continuing to impact the entire UK higher education sector – strong financial stewardship and good governance remain essential.
“We are in regular dialogue with a range of stakeholders, including trades union representatives, as we maintain our focus on strengthening the University’s long-term financial sustainability and improving operational effectiveness in support of our strategic priorities.”