Strike dates set at Dundee University in long running dispute as employer announces further job cuts

UCU members at the Dundee University will take five days of strike action next week beginning on Monday 10 November.

As well as Monday, staff will also be striking during the rest of the week on Tuesday 11, Wednesday 12, Thursday 13 and Friday 14 November 2025. 

UCU members will also take part in action short of strike which will involve staff taking actions including working to contract, not covering for colleagues or undertaking voluntary activities at the university.

The strike follows a re-ballot where 72% of those who voted backed strike action on a turnout 58%.  The need to re-ballot is a result of trade union legislation which means that ballots for strike action expire after six months.  Next week's strike marks the first-year anniversary of the then university principal surprising staff by emailing with the announcement of a £30million deficit and the possibility of compulsory redundancies.  To mark the anniversary, on Thursday 13 November the campus trade unions will be holding a rally in Dundee.  Earlier this year the branch at the university took strike action to defend jobs and demand that senior managers ruled out the use of compulsory redundancies.

The interim university principal, Professor Nigel Seaton, gave evidence to the Scottish Parliament's Education, Children and Young People Committee last Wednesday where he announced further job losses, saying that the total number of jobs lost would exceed the 300 agreed through voluntary severance. 

Branch co-president, Melissa D'Ascenzio, said: "News that further job cuts are coming is just another shocking revelation in a year when staff have been told one thing only to be then told something different over the number of jobs to be cut and the need for compulsory redundancies.  Last week was another example of staff hearing what's happening to their jobs and the university via the Parliament or in the media.  Throughout the past year, staff have continued to teach students and carry out world-leading research while not knowing if their job is secure.  Staff are striking next week to defend jobs, and to demand, a year after they first learnt about the debacle caused by the university's leadership, that university senior managers finally rule out the use of compulsory redundancies."

Jo Grady, UCU general secretary, said: "It's galling that, once again, staff hear about more job cuts in the Parliament and in the media.  It's beyond time for Nigel Seaton to conclusively rule out compulsory redundancies.  UCU members at Dundee have again shown their determination to vote for and to take action to defend jobs and protect the university's long-term future."