Aberdeen university staff begin strike tomorrow over job cuts and possible compulsory redundancies

University and College Union (UCU) Scotland members at the University of Aberdeen will tomorrow (Thursday 12 March) begin the first of four days of strike action in a dispute over job cuts and possible compulsory redundancies.  Staff will be striking on Thursday 12, Friday 13, Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 March 2026.  

The dispute is a result of management's plans to make cuts to jobs and their refusal to rule out the use of compulsory redundancies despite over 40 staff having taking voluntary severance or retiring already this year.  While some progress has been made in dispute resolution talks to date, the threat of redundancy still looms over the workforce.

In the ballot held prior to strike action, 83% of those voting backed striking on a turnout of 60% which the union said showed the anger at management's plans.  As well as taking strike action members are also engaged in action short of strike including working to contract, not covering for absent colleagues and not undertaking any voluntary duties. 

The union said that, even at this late stage, it remained committed to negotiating an end to the dispute but that management also needed to be willing to find a way to avoid strike action taking place.

Dan Cutts, Aberdeen UCU branch co-chair, said: "March is a busy time at the university and the very last thing staff want to be doing is going on strike for four days.   It's not too late to end this dispute and stop staff and students facing the inevitable disruption a strike will bring.  We're ready to sit down to serious talks and to negotiate an end to this dispute, and work with the employer to avoid the need for compulsory redundancies."

Jo Grady, UCU General Secretary, said: "Staff will be out on picket lines to show their overwhelming opposition to these cuts and jobs being lost.  Time is running out to resolve this dispute and it's high time the Aberdeen university principal ruled out compulsory redundancies."