Staff at the University of Dundee have begun a five-day strike today in protest against widespread compulsory redundancies, marking the latest escalation in a protracted dispute over the university’s plans to cut hundreds of jobs amid a deepening financial crisis.
The industrial action, which will run until Friday, follows the university’s announcement that up to 700 positions could be lost as it seeks to address a £35 million deficit. While university management recently revised the target to 300 job losses through a voluntary severance scheme, union leaders say compulsory redundancies remain on the table, prompting renewed walkouts by members of the University and College Union (UCU).
A spokesperson for the Dundee UCU branch said:
“The announcement at the end of April that, instead of up to 700 jobs being cut, the University is looking to lose 300 staff via a voluntary severance scheme was welcome. However, the threat of compulsory redundancies is still looming over staff once a voluntary severance scheme closes, and there are staff at the university that are currently facing redundancy in the Leverhulme centre and EduAT.”
“We call on the employer to abide by the Scottish Government’s call to rule out the use of compulsory redundancies, and to commit to making any savings through voluntary methods. The employer is pushing ahead with redundancies, and given that jobs are on the line our members felt they had no choice but to embark upon further industrial action. That’s why members will be taking strike action for five days. UCU wants to work for a sustainable future for the university, for students, staff and the city of Dundee, but our members must take a stand against compulsory redundancies.”
UCU general secretary Jo Grady added:
“Some seven months after first announcing that management failures had led to an unforeseen deficit, the fact that staff are still facing an uncertain future with management still unwilling to rule out the use of compulsory redundancies shows the ongoing crisis in the university’s leadership and governance.”
The union highlighted that staff in the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science (LRCFS) and the Educational Assistive Technology Team (EduAT) are currently facing redundancy consultations. The UCU emphasised the vital role of the EduAT team in supporting disabled students both in the UK and overseas, warning that the cuts could have far-reaching consequences for inclusive education.
Interim principal Professor Shane O’Neill has defended the recovery plan, stating that the university’s financial situation is dire and that significant public funding will be needed to secure its future.
The university maintains that it is working to minimise compulsory redundancies and is engaging with unions and stakeholders as part of its recovery efforts
This latest five-day strike follows earlier industrial action, including a three-week walkout in February and March, and comes as unions continue to demand a commitment from university management to rule out compulsory redundancies. The situation remains tense, with the university’s future direction and the fate of hundreds of staff still uncertain.
