University of the Highlands and Islands staff back strike action amid dispute over job cuts

Staff at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) have voted for industrial action in a dispute over job cuts.

Strikes and a work-to-rule have been threatened at its headquarters in Inverness, after bosses revealed plans to cut 16 jobs in a bid to save £2m.

UHI management said extensive discussions had been held with the University and College Union (UCU) in an effort to avoid redundancies.

The union claims job cuts would have a negative impact on staff and students.

In a ballot of UCU members at the university’s executive office, 71% of those who voted backed 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.

Following the clear result, members of the UCU branch at the university will now decide their next steps in the dispute.

Asked by STV News where else savings could be made, Conchúr Ó Giollagáin, branch president of the University and College Union, said: “We could make savings through a voluntary severance scheme.

“In other words, members of staff do not have to suffer compulsory redundancy. And we could look at governance issues.

“The UHI, as currently constituted, is a very complex and costly institution to run. If we streamlined our governance structures we would make considerable savings and make the university more stable in the long term.”

He warned that job cuts would impact badly both on the staff losing their jobs and on colleagues “who would be left with unmanageable workloads”.

Mr Ó Giollagáin added that the decision to press ahead with cuts would also impact “the university’s ability to fulfil its educational mission, teaching students across the Highlands and Islands and carrying out critical research”.

In a statement, the UHI said: “We recognise this is an uncertain and difficult time for colleagues.

“Throughout this process, we have engaged in extensive and constructive discussions with UCU in an effort to avoid redundancies within our executive office. This has included sharing detailed financial information with regard to the university’s financial position along with its future forecasts.

“Unfortunately, no alternative proposals have been identified that would enable the university to achieve the level of long-term financial sustainability required.”

It said the university had worked hard to minimise the impact on staff numbers and ensure there was no impact on students.

“However, in the absence of viable alternatives, the university has no option but to proceed with the current proposals”, it said.

The UHI shed 20 jobs in 2023 as part of cost cutting.