The dates for industrial action at the University of Aberdeen has been revealed, with four strike days now set for March.
Members of the University and College Union (UCU) voted last week in favour of action in response to proposed budget cuts. Industrial action was backed by 83% on a turnout of 60% – a threshold regarded as a strong mandate under UK trade union law. A further 90% said they were also prepared to take action short of a strike, which can include working strictly to contract, refusing to cover for absent colleagues, and withdrawing from voluntary activities.
The dispute centres on the university’s cost-cutting programme, branded internally as ‘Adapting for Continuing Success’, which UCU says threatens both the student experience and the institution’s research standing. Despite more than 40 members of staff having already departed through voluntary severance or early retirement, management has refused to rule out compulsory redundancies. Staff are also contending with an ongoing freeze on academic promotions.
On Tuesday, UCU members in Aberdeen formally notified of the planned industrial action and the specific dates. The strike will take place on March 12, 13, 17, and 18, while continuous action short of a strike is set to commence on March 12. This will include adhering strictly to contracts; not covering for absent colleagues; not rescheduling lectures, classes, or events canceled due to the strike; not sharing or uploading materials related to lectures, classes, or events that were canceled because of the strike; and refraining from any voluntary activities.
In a letter to members, the union said:
“As reported to members at the meeting, this action follows a deeply frustrating dispute resolution meeting with members of the Senior Management Team (SMT). At that meeting, SMT maintained their position that they will not consult with trade unions at this point on any ACS proposals. There has also been no movement on the continued ‘pause’ on academic promotions.
“To add to members’ concerns, SMT have refused to schedule a further dispute resolution meeting with the union. In the absence of meaningful engagement, industrial action is the next step available to us.
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“We want to be absolutely clear: we remain keen to resolve this dispute without the need to take strike action. We are writing to members of University Court asking them to instruct SMT to return to meaningful negotiations with the unions. Our door remains open, and we are ready to meet at any time.”
A University of Aberdeen spokesperson said: “It’s disappointing industrial action has been announced while we look at ways of tackling the challenges facing the University and UK higher education sector. Every effort will be made to minimise the impact of any action on our students who will be given advice and kept updated.”
The University of Aberdeen is not alone in facing this pressure. Staff at Heriot-Watt University have also voted for strike action, with UCU warning that at least 41 jobs could be lost there under a proposed ‘right-sizing’ exercise. The disputes are part of a broader pattern of industrial unrest across Scottish higher education, with financial pressures driving restructuring programmes at multiple institutions.
