Strikes remain on at Aberdeen university after management reject deal

Eight days of strike action starting tomorrow will take place after management yesterday rejected an offer made by the university's UCU branch.

The offer which could have meant the action being suspended would have seen management not place any staff at risk of redundancy for six months and, instead, seek savings by voluntary means such as running a voluntary severance scheme and seeking savings from non-staff budgets. 

In return, the UCU branch was willing to show good faith by calling off the eight strike days planned through April to the start of May and not calling further industrial action for six months.  In meetings yesterday, university senior managers made clear that they rejected the offer and the strikes, therefore, remain on.

Dan Cutts, UCU Aberdeen co-chair, said: "By rejecting our proposal to guarantee job security for six months, senior management have put staff livelihoods and the student experience at risk.  Although the proposal was submitted last week, UCU were required to wait a further week for a response due to the Principal's absence in the United States.  Throughout this period, we have consistently demonstrated our willingness to engage constructively and resolve this dispute.  We will oppose these destructive plans at every stage, using every means available to defend our members, protect jobs, and safeguard the student experience."

Mike Williamson, official with the UCU union, said: "Last week UCU put a proposal to University of Aberdeen senior management to call off our industrial action in exchange for a guarantee that nobody would be placed at risk of redundancy for six months. Yesterday we learned that they have rejected this proposal, to the great disappointment of staff and students.

"University court meets next week and will be asking questions about why this strike action could not be avoided. From UCU's perspective it is clear who is to blame."