Jumping now to the University of Dundee and Robert Gordon University (RGU), things are on the verge of drastic change. Staff have already started to strike in reaction to planned layoffs. The University of Dundee is facing down a £35 million hole in its finances, forcing it to declare 632 job cuts. In February, staff walked off the job for three weeks of strike action. Related UCU Scotland union members vote strongly, 74% of them, to support walkout. Union members voted strongly, 74% of them, to support walkout.
With a 64% turnout, the strike at Dundee’s fears mirrored feelings across faculties that mismanagement had led the university to a precarious financial decision. This unrest is indicative of a much larger problem within Scottish higher education. Meanwhile, institutions are facing mounting financial pressure and the threat of furloughs.
Closer to London, RGU in Aberdeen is currently experiencing staff strikes over RGU management’s redundancy plans. Last year, RGU sent 130 staff members on their way in a voluntary severance scheme. In November, the university threatened that even more layoffs could be coming. Garry Ross, the EIS national officer for higher education, has explained the reason for action taken with strikes.
“They are fighting to protect their jobs, the jobs of their colleagues, and to safeguard the future of quality education at RGU.” – Garry Ross, EIS national officer for higher education
Steve Olivier, principal and vice-chancellor of RGU, acknowledged that the institution had difficult times ahead. John Goodall CEO of RGU agreed, saying if the university is to have a sustainable future RGU needs to act now.
“Against what continues to be an extremely challenging sector context, the actions that have been taken so far have been difficult but necessary.” – Professor Steve Olivier, principal and vice-chancellor
University of Edinburgh staff are poised for strike action. They’re doing this in response to recently announced plans to slash £140 million from the university’s budget. The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) has called on the university to consider options other than forced redundancies. And they plan to keep the total number of additional jobs lost to below 60. The fight to protect their members has them believe they have no choice but to move forward with strikes.
In the face of ongoing strike actions, the EIS has pledged to strike again in May and September at the University of Edinburgh. Unite the union is preparing for a nationwide ballot of its members. This decision follows journalism’s outcry on news of perhaps 700 staff reductions at the university.
While universities all over Scotland are grappling with some significant financial pressures, the productivity improvements on staff morale and quality of education still need to be seen. What’s happening at Dundee, RGU, and Edinburgh is developing very quickly. This emerging reality will surely shape the future of higher education in that region for years to come.
