Ongoing Strike Action at University of Aberdeen
Staff at the University of Aberdeen have commenced an additional 10 days of strike action amid a continuing dispute concerning proposed cuts.
The University and College Union (UCU) had previously conducted four days of strikes last month.
The strike schedule includes action on Tuesday this week, followed by further strikes from 22 to 24 April and from 27 April to 1 May.
UCU has stated that the industrial action is related to several issues, including the university's refusal to rule out compulsory redundancies. The University has indicated that it remains engaged in discussions with the union.
This latest phase of strike action was announced at the beginning of April.
UCU Aberdeen branch co-chair Dan Cutts said: "Spring is a busy and critical time at Aberdeen university and staff want to be at work supporting students. But the actions of management and the failure to resolve this dispute has left us no alternative but to take this action."
The University has acknowledged that much of the UK higher education sector is encountering challenging circumstances and must adapt to become more resilient.
It has also stated that efforts will be made to minimise disruption to students during the strike period.
Measures for a Sustainable Future
In an effort to achieve £5.5 million in savings, the University reopened a voluntary severance and early retirement scheme last year.
Additionally, recruitment has been frozen, and departments have been asked to identify further cost-saving measures.
The University recently confirmed that 41 individuals accepted offers of severance packages or early retirement.
In the wider Scottish higher education context, Edinburgh University has announced £140 million in cuts to address financial challenges, while the Scottish Government provided Dundee University with £40 million in emergency funding.
The Scottish Government has expressed its commitment to ensuring a "successful and sustainable future" for higher education institutions.
