LECTURERS at Dundee University start a fresh five-week strike today as their union UCU urged bosses to rule out compulsory redundancies.

The university was plunged into crisis in November 2024 when then-principal Professor Iain Gillespie announced a £30 million black hole in its finances before promptly resigning with a £152,000 exit package.

Despite an unprecedented Scottish government bailout, bosses have since axed a staggering 815 jobs — more than a fifth of the workforce — in a bid to plug the gap, and in June announced plans to slash a further 200.

Management have refused to rule out compulsory redundancies to meet cuts targets, infuriating a workforce already struggling with soaring workloads and plunging unions into a long-running dispute.

On the eve of the five-week strike, running from September 21 to October 23,  UCU Dundee branch co-president Ian Ellis said: “No-one wants to take strike action, but with the threat of compulsory redundancies still hanging over staff, then the only people to blame for these strikes are university management.

“New and returning students will be impacted at the start of term, which is hugely regretful, but we’re also clear that university management cutting more jobs and more staff leaving will have a major and long-term impact on students’ education and the university.”

Pledging to join the picket lines, the university’s rector and Green MSP for North-East Scotland Maggie Chapman said: “Staff and students did not cause the management-inflicted chaos at Dundee University but they are paying the price for it.

“The crisis facing Dundee University is the result of years of catastrophic leadership, failed governance and appalling decision-making at the top.”

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “This strike should be a wake-up call for senior managers at Dundee.

“University management must rule out compulsory redundancies, and if they continue to refuse to do so  — as they have done for almost two years — then ministers should show they understand the impact on staff and the city of Dundee and force their hand.”

The Scottish government said: “Industrial action is in no-one’s best interests — least of all students’ — so while the Scottish government cannot intervene directly, we encourage universities and trades unions to engage constructively and seek resolution to these disputes.”

The University of Dundee was contacted for comment.