Queen Margaret University staff in Edinburgh strike over job cuts on graduation days

Staff at Queen Margaret University (QMU) will walk out on strike for two days in a dispute over cuts to jobs and research time.

The industrial action by members of the University and College Union (UCU) will take place on Monday July 6 and Tuesday July 7, as students graduate from their courses.

Striking staff will be outside the graduation ceremonies at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall to congratulate the students they’ve taught for the previous four years.

They will also be asking students and their families to put pressure on management to end the dispute, save jobs and to protect the university’s reputation and future.

Other staff members are also taking part in action short of a strike, including not covering for absent colleagues and undertaking voluntary activities.

The dispute comes amid plans from the university to save £4 million from staff costs during the 2026-27 and 2027-28 financial years.

The trade union is calling for the institution to rule out compulsory redundancies.

It says a voluntary redundancy scheme has been operating at the university, but more than five jobs still remain at risk.

Additionally, the university is looking to cut research and scholarship time for academics.

The union said that the cuts and staff leaving the university mean that the remaining staff are facing higher workloads and that working conditions at the university are worsening.

The strike follows a ballot where members of the union voted by 92 per cent on a 67 per cent turn out to back strike action.

The Queen Margaret University UCU branch co-president Judith Lane said: “Management at QMU seem determined to drive through these cuts but the ballot result and the strike this week show UCU members’ determination to protect every job and push back against these unnecessary cuts.

“Management’s refusal to rule out compulsory redundancies despite the relatively low number affected shows that these cuts and their brutal nature are a choice rather than a financial necessity.”

Jo Grady, UCU general secretary, added: “QMU staff don’t deserve to be treated the way they are being by management.

“Students thinking of applying to study at the university also deserve clarity on who’ll be there to teach them next year and that they’ll be joining a university with research-informed teaching for the duration of their degree.

“The UCU branch at QMU is right to be striking this week to defend jobs and will continue to have the full support of UCU nationally in this dispute.”

A Queen Margaret University spokesperson said: “While we recognise the right of trade unions to take action, we are disappointed that the UCU is calling on its members to take strike action on the dates of our graduation ceremonies. However, we can assure our graduating students and their friends and families that the strike should not affect their graduation experience in any significant way.

“The UCU’s action arises out of the university’s carefully considered programme of action to protect the institution’s long-term financial sustainability. We have been consulting with trade unions throughout this programme, and are fully committed to ensuring that all consultation is genuine and meaningful. With the aim of keeping redundancies to the absolute minimum, this consultation has already delivered positive outcomes.”