Resolution in UCU's dispute at University of the Highlands and Islands and progress in Edinburgh University dispute but still more to do

University and College Union (UCU) members at the University of Edinburgh have made significant progress in their dispute with the employer over job cuts, and UCU members at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) have been able to resolve their dispute over compulsory redundancies.  

In both disputes these developments were achieved following strike action and subsequent negotiations with the respective employers.  Members at Edinburgh have taken nine strike days in 2025, and at UHI UCU members took two strike days in October 2025. 

The deal at Edinburgh sees the employer guarantee that as a result of any cost saving programme, there will be no compulsory redundancy exits at the University to the end of July 2026; sets up a voluntary severance scheme open to all academic staff; and commits that any professional services staff who are subsequently placed at risk of redundancy will be offered voluntary severance.  The employer has agreed to be more transparent on "protected conversations" that it may offer to staff, with any invitations to such meetings making clear the purpose of the meeting, clarifying that individuals can refuse to participate, and those that do can be accompanied by a trade union representative.  In addition, the employer has agreed to enhance its redeployment offer and freeze external recruitment except in exceptional circumstances.     The agreement also commits the employer to meaningful consultation with UCU over its programme of organisational change, importantly ensuring that it consults with trade unions during the design phase of proposals.

The acceptance of this offer by UCU members sees the UCU Edinburgh branch commit to no further industrial action in this dispute during its current ballot mandate which runs to 29 April 2026.  The proposal, negotiated by the local UCU branch negotiation team, was debated at length during a branch meeting, and voted on by local members in an electronic ballot.   The offer was only narrowly accepted by members, and the union said that this indicated the concerns members continue to have about the situation they face. 

UCU members at UHI Executive Office had been in dispute with their employer over compulsory redundancies since August.   The negotiated resolution of this local dispute involves the employer committing to no compulsory redundancies at UHI Executive Office for a calendar year, to review its avoidance of redundancy policy, to work with UCU reps on workload to avoid excessive workload for staff, as well as working with the union to address poor staff morale.   UCU members at UHI Executive Office considered this negotiated outcome at a branch meeting last week, and then participated in an electronic ballot, where members agreed overwhelmingly to accept the proposal and resolve the current dispute.

Speaking about the progress in these local disputes, UCU general secretary Jo Grady said:  "I want to congratulate the local branch negotiators at both Edinburgh and UHI branches for the careful negotiations they have held with their respective employers, and to pay tribute to the efforts of our members in withdrawing their labour to force employers to the negotiating tables.  It is heartening to see the progress made in both universities, to get concrete wins for members and to improve job security.

"It is clear that in Edinburgh the battle is far from over, and that members remain suspicious of their employer, and need to be convinced that the employer is committed to working with UCU in the best interests of staff, students and education at the university.  UCU is also clear that Edinburgh University does not need to make the level of cuts planned, but there are benefits to be had by sitting round the table with the employer in the next couple of months negotiating to get a better deal for workers.  Members should have confidence in their local negotiators, in the knowledge that the branch does have a strong mandate for further strike action or even a marking and assessment boycott, should the employer back track on its side of this deal.

"I want to congratulate members and our local negotiators at the University of the Highlands and Islands.  Through their action and skilled negotiations they have secured greater job security for members locally, along with commitments to important joint work with UCU to address excessive workload and staff morale."