Edinburgh university staff walk out in latest strikes over £140m cuts

Staff at the University of Edinburgh have begun the first of three days of strike action in a dispute over plans for cuts worth £140m.

Members of the University and Colleges Union (UCU) called for the institution to rule out the threat of compulsory redundancies after walking out on Monday.

The union has accused senior management of allowing staff, including lecturers, to come to work without any certainty over their long-term future.

A spokesperson for the university said it needed to take “decisive action” to secure its financial position.

Staff are also set to walk out on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

The latest round of strikes follow on from previous action in September and a one-day walkout in the summer.

Action short of a strike has been ongoing since June.

The university announced the programme of cuts in February, citing severe financial difficulties.

UCU members were re-balloted for strike action last month, with 86% backing walkouts at a 60% turnout.

The union has alleged about 1,800 jobs could be lost due to the university’s cost-saving measures.

They said that included “hidden redundancies” such as fixed-term staff not having their contracts extended and part-time workers seeing hours cut.

Branch president Sophia Woodman said there was “anger” among staff.

She said the dispute could escalate to a full marking and assessment boycott unless the university was willing to return to the negotiating table.

She said: “University senior management need to finally do the right thing; commit to no compulsory redundancies and accept the union’s open offer of meaningful talks with a view to ending the dispute.

“Unless and until they do, the threat of more strikes, more disruption and a marking and assessment boycott will hang over the university.

“Students know exactly who is to blame.”

The university’s principal, professor Peter Mathieson, said the institution was taking a “responsible approach” to its financial future.

He said staff who were not striking were working to ensure disruption for students was limited.

Prof Mathieson added: “Taking decisive action now is the responsible approach to prevent far greater challenges in the future.

“We have been transparent about the savings needed to secure our financial footing.

“These challenges are not unique to Edinburgh as institutions across the country are facing similar pressures.”

Meanwhile about 30 activists from the Edinburgh University Justice for Palestine Society (EUJPS) blockaded the entrance to Old College.

Protesters said the action was over the university’s financial links with companies which support Israeli forces in the ongoing war with Gaza, but also called for an end to cuts.

Police Scotland said the protest was being managed by the university’s own security.

The gates which lead into the Old College quadrangle were locked on Monday morning.