Scottish university faces staff strike amid 220 job cuts as £18m in savings needed

The Aberdeen-based institution announced at the end of March that it was opening a voluntary severance scheme as part of efforts to save £18 million. Up to 220 posts were expected to go, along with a “restructure” of the academic schools, with the School of Creative and Cultural Business earmarked for a shake-up.

Now, the Robert Gordon University (RGU) branch of the EIS University Lecturers’ Association (EIS-ULA) has opened a consultative ballot in response to cutbacks. Members are being asked if they are willing to take industrial action up to and including strikes in defence of jobs.

The consultative ballot will run from August 1 until August 22.

Details have been announced one day after The Scotsman revealed neighbouring Aberdeen University has set aside £10m for a further voluntary redundancy scheme, having already cut £12m from staff costs in recent months.

Commenting on the RGU ballot, EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley said: “Despite the fact that voluntary severance uptake has eased some of the financial strains on RGU, there are still members who have been advised that they are at risk of compulsory redundancy and thus redundancy consultation meetings are ongoing.

“The EIS-ULA is clear that compulsory redundancy is unacceptable in any situation; and further opposes voluntary redundancies where additional work and stress is placed on remaining staff, who are left to carry the workload burden which does not disappear when staff numbers diminish.

“The EIS-ULA stands ready to meet with RGU management at any time, should it wish to resolve this dispute and avoid industrial action at the university.”

It is understood up to seven staff members face compulsory redundancy as a result of a restructure of academic schools.

Several universities are implementing cuts following a reduction in Scottish Government funding and a drop in the number of fee-paying international postgraduate students, with the latter expected to cost the sector more than £100m in this year alone.

The University and College Union (UCU) had planned to strike action at Aberdeen University earlier this year, but it was called off after compulsory redundancies were ruled out. RGU principal Steve Olivier said: “Robert Gordon University is a successful institution and we have seen significant growth in recent years. However, universities in Scotland and throughout the UK continue to face significant financial challenges and uncertainty due to several ongoing causes, predominantly a sustained decline in public funding and a steep drop in international student numbers.

“The university has so far achieved around half of its carefully considered cost savings target. This has predominantly been achieved through staff taking up the option of leaving the institution voluntarily through mutually agreed terms.

“Each decision made throughout this process has included regular consultation with relevant stakeholders. This includes extensive and regular dialogue with all recognised trade union representatives which will continue in the months ahead.”

The university’s voluntary severance scheme remains open over the summer.