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Dundee university staff overwhelmingly back industrial action in row over £30 million deficit and job losses

31 January 2025

Staff at the University of Dundee have today backed strikes in a dispute over the university's £30 million deficit and plans to cut jobs including by compulsory redundancies.

In the ballot of UCU Scotland members, 74% of those who voted backed strike action on a turnout of 64%.

The university principal shocked staff at the university in November announcing that the university was £30 million in deficit and then resigning. Other members of the university senior management team have also left the university. Management at the university have refused to rule out the use of compulsory redundancies and have not yet announced the size of cuts or the number of staff they are looking to make redundant.

In response to calls from the Minister for Higher Education, Graeme Dey, for senior managers to include staff and trade unions in decision making about the university's future, managers invited campus trade unions to join a newly set up resilience committee. However the union said that key decisions are not being made by this committee, and a recovery plan has not been shared with trade unions. Trade unions are also still waiting to receive key financial information to enable them to engage meaningfully on this matter. 

The union said that it is committed to working with the employer to ensure a future for the university and to exploring savings but called on senior managers to rule out the use of compulsory redundancies. The possibility of losing staff will impact on students and their experience, as well as the university's reputation and the economic wellbeing and educational provision of the city and the region. The local branch is due to meet later to consider its next steps.

Dundee University UCU branch co-president, Melissa D'Ascenzio, said: 'By voting in these numbers UCU members at the University of Dundee have been crystal clear that the university needs to think again cutting jobs and the use of compulsory redundancies. The ballot result is a mandate for industrial action and to oppose job cuts.

'We remain absolutely committed to the university and are ready to play our part in helping deliver a sustainable future. Senior managers need to listen to their staff, unions and local politicians, including the Minister, and engage openly and honestly about the best future for the university, its students and staff, and the city'.

Last updated: 11 February 2025