University of Dundee urged to rule out compulsory job losses as strike begins

Members of the University and Colleges Union (UCU) are taking part in the protest at the start of the new academic year, with staff set to walk out every weekday from Monday through to Friday October 23.

In addition union members will also be taking part in action short of a strike, such as not covering for absent colleagues – with the UCU warning this could lead to a marking and assessment boycott at the university.

The union said it was “hugely regretful” that new and returning students to the university would be affected by this latest protest.

It comes as the university seeks to reduce its staff numbers further as it responds to financial pressures.

In November 2024 the then principal announced an unforeseen deficit of £30 million and the possibility of compulsory redundancies.

Since then, 815 jobs have been cut and senior management announced in June further plans to axe another 200 posts.

The UCU insists cash saved from staff cuts, as well as funding received from the Scottish Government, should be sufficient for management to rule out the use of any compulsory redundancies.

Ian Ellis, co-president of the Dundee branch of the UCU, said: “No-one wants to take strike action, but with the threat of compulsory redundancies still hanging over staff, then the only people to blame for these strikes are university management.

“New and returning students will be impacted at the start of term, which is hugely regretful, but we’re also clear that university management cutting more jobs and more staff leaving will have a major and long-term impact on students’ education and the university.”

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “This strike should be a wake-up call for senior managers at Dundee.”

She said “failures of governance, management and funding have created a crisis” at the university, and added it is “unacceptable that workers at the university are the ones left to pay the price for others’ failure”.

Ms Grady said: “University management must rule out compulsory redundancies and, if they continue to refuse to do so as they have done for almost two years, then ministers should show they understand the impact on staff and the city of Dundee and force their hand.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Industrial action is in no-one’s best interests – least of all students’ – so while the Scottish Government cannot intervene directly, we encourage universities and trades unions to engage constructively and seek resolution to these disputes.”

The University of Dundee was contacted for comment.