THE University and College Union (UCU) has launched a strike ballot at the University of the Highlands and Islands, where workers face job cuts and compulsory redundancy.

Workers at the university’s executive office will be asked to back steps up to and including strike action as they battle plans to axe 16 jobs, part of a £2 million cuts package.

UCU branch president Conchur O Giollagain said: “Obviously redundancy has a huge impact on the people who lose their jobs, but it also leaves other staff with increased workloads and the university itself less able to deliver the education students and communities across the Highlands and Islands deserve. 

“By announcing these job cuts, university management are showing they’ve not learnt from the mistakes they’ve made in the past.  

“Despite this, it’s not too late to avoid strikes and all the disruption that entails.”

A university spokesperson said: “Rising inflation, coupled with flat-cash public funding, has created significant challenges in delivering a balanced budget. 

“Despite constructive engagement with the trade union and sharing detailed financial information, we have not been able to identify viable alternatives.”