University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) strikes ‘likely’ after University and College Union (UCU) members back industrial action in ballot against job cuts and compulsory redundancies at Inverness executive office
Strikes are likely at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) after staff backed industrial action in a ballot over job cuts and compulsory redundancies.
Members of University and College Union (UCU) Scotland working at the university’s executive office gave 71 per cent backing to the action, on a turnout of 82 per cent.
Some 93 per cent of members employed at voting said that 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 what UCU called a “clear result”, members of the UCU branch at the university will now be able to decide their next steps in the dispute.
It follows the decision of management at the university to make 16 people redundant as part of efforts to save £2 million, a decision UHI hgas defended.
The union said that the job cuts would impact badly both on the staff losing their jobs, but also on their colleagues who will be left with unmanageable workloads.
The decision to press ahead with cuts will also impact the university’s ability to fulfil its educational mission, teaching students across the Highlands and Islands and carrying out critical research.
The union insisted that management figures did not make sense, and that there was a worry that once these jobs were lost management would come back for more.
Jobs have been lost at UHI, either by compulsory redundancy or staff taking voluntary severance year-on-year recently.
UCU is warning that the cuts impact the ability of the university to function effectively.
UCU UHI branch president Conchúr Ó Giollagáin said: “This result shows university management the strength of feeling at these jobs going, and the anger at the use of compulsory redundancies.
“Even at this late stage it’s not too late for management to commit to ending the use of compulsory redundancies, to work with the union to find alternative savings and to end this dispute.
“No-one wants to take strike action but unless management withdraw from their decision to force people from their jobs, then management risk pushing staff into taking industrial action.”
Jo Grady, UCU general secretary, said: “UHI plays a crucial role across the Highlands and Islands and the loss of these jobs, including by the shocking use of compulsory redundancies, is unacceptable.
“The ballot result is clear and staff at the university will have the full support of the union in any action they decide to take opposing these cuts, saving jobs and ending the use of compulsory redundancies.”
A spokesman for the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) said: “The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) has been notified by University and College Union (UCU) of the outcome of their recent ballot and is awaiting further information.
“We recognise that 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.
“The university has worked hard to minimise the impact on staff numbers and ensure that there is no impact on students, however, in the absence of viable alternatives, the university has no option but to proceed with the current proposals.
“However, we remain very committed to supporting our staff and working collaboratively with our union partners as the process continues.”