Staff at Strathclyde University have backed industrial action amid plans to cut 76 jobs at the leading institution.
80% of University and College Union (UCU) members at the university voted to back strike action on a turnout of 58%.
87% also said they would be willing to take part in action short of strike; which can include refusing to undertake voluntary activities, cover for absent colleagues, or mark exam papers.
Jen Remnant, Strathclyde UCU branch chair, said: “This vote is a clear indication that staff at Strathclyde are determined to protect the university, fight for every job and ensure that no one leaves through compulsory redundancy.
“We’re clear that the threat of compulsory redundancies needs to be taken off the table and that staff deserve transparency and respect.
"The university should evidence its ‘people oriented’ values and support employees to have a full say in the future of their jobs and the future direction of the university more broadly, to the benefit of all staff and students.”
At the end of January, The Herald reported that more than 60 members of staff had been invited to take part in meetings where they were told that their jobs were at risk.
One member of staff said that their department had been “traumatised” by the “reshaping” process.
And yesterday, it was reported that the university is facing questions over whether it failed to follow its own governance rules, with fears the institution’s Court has been sidelined as management pushes ahead with job cuts.
Jo Grady, UCU General Secretary, added: “Strathclyde University is integral to higher education in Glasgow and Scotland. Losing staff from the university right now at a time when workloads are already unmanageable can’t be done without damaging the student experience and the university’s reputation.
“Members at Strathclyde have shown their determination to protect jobs. It is time now that senior managers listen to the university’s staff and finally rule out the use of compulsory redundancies.”
In November and December, university principal Professor Stephen McArthur outlined his cost-cutting plans in a series of messages to staff.
He wrote: “The University needs to make £20m of recurrent savings in this year and a further £15m next year.
Read more:
- Fears of job cuts at top Scottish university as £35m funding gap revealed
- Staff numbers at leading Scottish university plunge amid £140m cost cutting drive
- Scotland's University of the Year denies 'picking on' disabled staff in £35m cuts bid
“As a result of this reshaping, we anticipate that around 76 existing full-time equivalent posts will not be part of the future structure. We will work with our staff and trade unions to mitigate the impact of proposed changes on affected staff."
In a statement on Monday, a spokesperson for the University of Strathclyde said the university was "disappointed" with the outcome of the ballot.
They added: "We have engaged in extensive consultation with campus trade unions with regards to our reshaping plans.
“We recognise the importance of job security for our staff and we are committed to continuing to work with our recognised trade unions to mitigate the potential need for compulsory redundancies.
"We will also take all necessary steps to mitigate the effects any action may have on our students and their studies.”
Share