STAFF at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) took strike action yesterday, slamming bosses for cutting up to 100 jobs while returning operating surpluses.

University and College Union (UCU) members picketed the university for the third time this summer over job cuts and a threat of possible compulsory redundancies.

Senior managers chose to cut posts despite the university not being in deficit, the union said.

Branch president Karen Lorimer said that for many years the university has “returned operating surpluses and maintained healthy cash reserves.

“This is not a university on the brink of collapse. These job cuts are not being forced on GCU; they are a choice.”

The UCU also pointed to the university’s decision to purchase land for a sum believed to be about £4.5 million.

A university spokesperson said it needed to “reduce posts in a small number of areas including outreach, estates, research and GCU London” due to a “substantial drop in international student income.”