Academics at Robert Gordon University begin strike action
Lecturing staff at Robert Gordon University have begun their first day of strike action to oppose compulsory redundancies.
The university, in Aberdeen, has implemented two voluntary severance schemes since November 2023 and offered voluntary redundancy to staff who would be affected by proposals for a maximum of 60 compulsory redundancies.
A spokesperson for the university previously said it had identified more than 60 vacant roles to be made available for redeployment, in a bid to reduce the number of compulsory redundancies.
Members of the Educational Institute of Scotland University Lecturers Association (EIS-ULA) will picket on the campus, on Tuesday.
Strike action has also been set for May 1 and 7, and further strikes between September 8 and 12.
In March, a ballot organised by EIS, Scotland’s largest teaching union, resulted in 83% of unionised lecturers who voted backing strike action.
The union urged management to withdraw the prospect of compulsory redundancies, and a spokesperson said the “scale of the cuts proposed at RGU is alarming”, describing job losses as “significant”.
EIS said that cost-cutting “will lead to substantial job losses and a detrimental impact on educational provision at RGU” and urged for management to rule out compulsory redundancies.
Our members have been left with no other option but to take strike action
The union said this had been met with “an insufficient response, leaving staff with no alternative but to take industrial action”.
EIS national officer for higher education, Garry Ross said: “Our members have been left with no other option but to take strike action.
“They are fighting to protect their jobs, the jobs of their colleagues and to safeguard the future of quality education at RGU.
“The proposed cuts will have a devastating effect on both staff and students, and the EIS-ULA will not stand by and allow this to happen.”
The EIS is urging the university to return to the negotiating table with a commitment to finding alternative solutions that avoid compulsory redundancies, to prevent further planned strike days at the beginning of May.
A spokesperson for the EIS-ULA said it is “prepared to take action until a satisfactory resolution is found” and is seeking support from students and the wider community, adding: “The EIS remains committed to seeking a fair outcome for its members and in ensuring the range of academic provision at RGU is maintained for students now and in the future.”
Professor Steve Olivier, principal and vice-chancellor at Robert Gordon University, said: “The university has consulted extensively with trades union representatives since embarking on its finance transformation project in late 2023.
“Against what continues to be an extremely challenging sector context, the actions that have been taken so far have been difficult but necessary and the university will continue to make every effort to mitigate compulsory redundancies which will always remain a last resort.
“RGU must ensure that the institution is in a position to be long-term financially sustainable and can continue to achieve the same success as recent years by offering excellent teaching and learning opportunities while significantly contributing towards the social, economic and cultural development of both the North East and wider nation.
“We are disappointed that a small number of staff have signalled their intention to strike and will do all that we can to ensure that our excellent student experience is maintained, and that students and other staff members are not disrupted.
“The university will remain in regular and constructive dialogue with the EIS, and other trades union bodies.”
