LECTURERS at Robert Gordon University (RGU) and the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) have taken co-ordinated strike action in the face of plans to axe hundreds of jobs.

Members of the Educational Institute of Scotland University Lecturers’ Association (EIS ULA) launched the action in response to UWS’s plans to cut 75 full-time equivalent posts, and RGU’s ongoing move to cut 188 roles, including 10 per cent via compulsory redundancy.

Branding the cuts a short-sighted move that will heap more pressure on remaining staff, EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley said: “Our members are resolute in their fight to defend their jobs and protect the quality of education at RGU and UWS.

“Staff are being forced to take strike action as neither university has made any attempt to resolve their respective disputes, instead deciding to push forward with plans to make staff redundant.

“These job losses will no doubt have a detrimental impact on local communities, the students who study at these institutions and the colleagues who remain after staff have left or been dismissed.

“Both universities have failed to provide a no-compulsory-redundancy guarantee, and our members have been left with no choice but to take a stand by striking.”

An RGU spokesperson said: “We have a continuing commitment to avoiding and minimising, wherever possible, any compulsory redundancies at the university.

“The redundancy processes associated with our Finance Transformation Project (FTP) have now concluded, and the vast majority of affected colleagues have left the university.

“Most chose to leave voluntarily, with circa 10 per cent of the 188 staff that have left being subject to compulsory redundancy.”

A UWS spokesperson said: “UWS remains committed to avoiding compulsory redundancies. 

“As EIS colleagues know, a voluntary severance scheme is open, and it is hoped that this approach will avoid the need for compulsory redundancy.

“We remain in an ongoing consultation process with our recognised trade unions. 

“UWS has seen a significant reduction in funded places from the Scottish Funding Council and our plan for a change in the academic workforce aligns with that reduction in funding. Since 2022/23, the overall funded places have reduced from 12,735 to 10,850 for the coming year; a fall of more than 1,800 places.

“The challenge facing UWS is not unique.”