THE “very existence” of the University of Dundee is at risk, Unite warned as it vowed to fight plans to slash 20 per cent of its workforce.

On Wednesday, interim principal, Shane O’Neill announced plans to axe 632 jobs, telling workers it was “very unlikely” to be avoided as the university seeks to close a £35 million black hole in its finances.

Slamming “gross financial mismanagement” for the crisis, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham — who represents hundreds of support staff at the university — said: “It is not alarmist to say that the very existence of the university is at risk and this would have a devastating economic impact on the city.”

Warning that compulsory redundancies “will not be tolerated” the union’s lead officer for higher education, Alison MacLean added: “We will fight for every job every step of the way. Unite will immediately consider every option open to us including balloting our members for industrial action.” 

“The Scottish government need to step in to stabilise the situation at Dundee university because there are massive socioeconomic dangers for the city.”