Strike action ballot at the University of Aberdeen over job losses

The row centres on the university's plans to axe 150 jobs and its refusal to rule out compulsory redundancies. The union says it wants to work with the university to manage the situation, but that its members will not sit back and watch jobs disappear and Aberdeen's reputation for excellence suffer.

As well as being asked if they will take strike action, UCU members are also being polled on their willingness to take action short of a strike, which could consist of things like only working contracted hours.

Rachel Shanks, Aberdeen UCU branch representative, said: 'The University of Aberdeen has a great international reputation and only last week jumped four places in the rankings of UK universities.

'Strike action is always a last resort, but unless the university rules out compulsory redundancies we feel we will be left with no other option. Aberdeen will only maintain its reputation for offering a student experience of the highest quality and excellence in teaching and research if the staff who undertake the research and teach the students are there to do the jobs in the first place.'