Staff at four Scottish universities vote on possible strike action

UCU members at Aberdeen, Stirling, Heriot-Watt and Strathclyde are voting on whether to authorise strike action or action short of a strike amid proposed job cuts and refusals to rule out compulsory redundancies. Ballots opened on Monday and will remain open into February, with closing dates between 9 and 17 February.

Staff at four Scottish universities are voting on authorising industrial action in separate disputes about proposed budget cuts and potential job losses. The ballots ask University and College Union (UCU) members at Aberdeen, Stirling, Heriot-Watt and Strathclyde whether they support strike action or action short of a strike. The union says the votes follow senior managements' refusal to rule out compulsory redundancies. Ballots opened on Monday and will run into February. Key points: - UCU members at Aberdeen, Stirling, Heriot-Watt and Strathclyde are being asked to vote on strike action and action short of a strike. - The union says senior management at the four universities have refused to rule out compulsory redundancies as part of cost-cutting plans. - Reported staff changes and proposals include around 40 voluntary leavers at Aberdeen; at least 41 planned job losses in Scotland and 10 at Heriot-Watt’s Malaysia campus; 175 voluntary leavers at Stirling alongside further planned cuts; and a proposal at Strathclyde to cut about 76 jobs as part of savings of £35 million. - All four ballots opened on Monday and close into February, with Strathclyde’s ballot closing on 9 February, Heriot-Watt and Aberdeen on 16 February, and Stirling on 17 February. Summary: These ballots have been called amid staff concern about planned cuts and the possibility of compulsory redundancies. The immediate next step is the completion and counting of the ballots in February, after which members will decide whether and what form of action to take. Universities and the Scottish Government have reported they are engaging or asking for engagement with unions. Further outcomes will depend on the ballot results and subsequent discussions.