Strike action dates confirmed for University of the Highlands and Islands staff amid dispute over job cuts

Staff at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) will strike for four days amid an ongoing dispute over job cuts.

University and College Union Scotland (UCU) confirmed four days of strike action will begin on Thursday, October 30.

Staff will also strike on November 5, 17 and 18.

The union added that UCU members will also take part in action short of a strike, which will involve staff taking actions including working to contract, not covering for colleagues or undertaking voluntary activities at the university.

The strike comes after UHI bosses revealed plans to cut 16 jobs in a bid to save £2m.

UHI management said extensive discussions had been held with the union in an effort to avoid redundancies.

UCU members were balloted with 71% of members who voted backing strike action, on a turnout of 82%.

The ballot also revealed 93% of members who voted said they would also be willing to take part in action short of strikes, which could include working to contract, not covering for absent colleagues, or not undertaking voluntary activities.

The union claim senior managers at the university are using compulsory redundancies to implement the job cuts.

UCU also questioned the impact cuts would have on the remaining staff who will be left with unmanageable workloads and said that these new cuts followed multiple cuts and jobs losses in recent years.

UCU UHI branch vice-president, Sorcha Kirker, said: “Management at UHI have been warned time after time that staff are angry at these cuts and, in particular, with the use of compulsory redundancies.

“After an overwhelming ballot result, and with strike action now planned for October 30, it’s still not too late for management to resolve this dispute, cease the unfair use of compulsory redundancies and to sit down and find a solution that saves jobs and protects the university’s future.”

“If they don’t, then UCU members are determined to see through the strike action they voted for and the only people to blame will be senior management,” they added.

Jo Grady, UCU general secretary, said: “It’s appalling that UHI management continues to press ahead with cuts and job losses, including using compulsory redundancies.

“After recent cuts, staff workloads are already sky-high, and the loss of more jobs will make a difficult situation even worse. Students know who’s to blame for the disruption strikes will cause, and I’d urge the principal, even at the last minute, to take the steps necessary to end the dispute.”

A spokesperson for the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) said: “We have been informed by University and College Union (UCU) that members intend to take industrial action in relation to proposed redundancies within our Executive Office.

“We understand this is a difficult time for colleagues and have held constructive discussions with UCU to explore all possible alternatives. Unfortunately, no viable options have been identified that would achieve the level of financial sustainability required. Our priority remains supporting staff, maintaining open dialogue, and ensuring students are not affected by any action.”