University of Stirling UCU members vote for industrial action

Nearly two-thirds of members (64%) who voted, supported strike action, with over four-fifths (83%) backing action short of a strike. The university has presented the union with plans to sack 17 staff at the institute of aquaculture.

UCU said the university had failed to properly consider alternative options put forward by the union and that the university has again failed to complete constructive consultation with the union before making the decision to axe staff.

The union believes the institute of aquaculture is being targeted because it does not provide a surplus on the university's internal budgetary process. However, UCU argues that the budgetary system is not a fair way to evaluate the institute because is mainly research-based. Further, the university proposals will leave the institute with a larger deficit than was likely to be the case had union proposals been implemented.

UCU Scottish official, Mary Senior, said: 'Today's result should act as wake-up call to the university. Their argument for making these cuts simply doesn't add up and will deprive the Scottish fish farming industry of a vitally important institute.

'Had the university taken the time to consider our proposals we could have avoided this action. It is essential now that management listens to our members and consults with us over their plans.'