UNIVERSITY of Dundee staff begin a five-day strike today over cuts, job losses and the continued threat of compulsory redundancies.

University & College Union (UCU) members will also take action short of strike, working to contract and refusing to cover for absent colleagues or take on voluntary duties.

Pickets will be held outside the university’s Tower Building on Old Perth Road.

On Thursday, a year since the then principal shocked staff with news of a £30 million deficit and looming job losses, campus unions will hold a rally at the Queens Hotel.

A recent second ballot saw 72 per cent vote for strike action on a 58 per cent turnout, which the union said showed “absolute” support despite the dispute’s length.

Dundee UCU branch co-president Melissa D’Ascenzio said: “Neither our students nor the university’s staff got the university into this situation, but management’s only answer has been more job cuts.

“The only solution is to trust and invest in staff, not treat them like they’re the problem.”

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “It’s not too late for management to listen and rule out compulsory redundancies.”

The university was approached for comment.