Dundee University (UCU) Strike Calendar

A dispute began in November 2024, now eighteen months old, following the announcement of significant funding cuts and the possibility of compulsory redundancies.

Over 600 staff have departed since the initial announcement, with a recent voluntary redundancy scheme expected to increase that number to over 750, though management has not ruled out future compulsory redundancies.

The remaining staff are reportedly experiencing unmanageable workloads and high levels of anxiety due to the significant staff losses.

Sustained industrial action, including 28 days of strikes, has so far prevented the implementation of compulsory redundancies.

A renewal of the industrial action mandate is sought to continue defending jobs, with a new legal mandate lasting for 12 months instead of six.

The current re-ballot for industrial action will run from the present day until Tuesday, June 9th.

Members have consistently taken action to defend jobs and push for a commitment against compulsory redundancies.

A commitment to avoid compulsory redundancies is considered the essential first step toward resolving the ongoing dispute.

The strike follows a re-ballot where 72% of those who voted backed strike action on a turnout 58%. The need to re-ballot is a result of trade union legislation which means that ballots for strike action expire after six months. Next week's strike marks the first-year anniversary of the then university principal surprising staff by emailing with the announcement of a £30million deficit and the possibility of compulsory redundancies. To mark the anniversary, on Thursday 13 November the campus trade unions will be holding a rally in Dundee. Earlier this year the branch at the university took strike action to defend jobs and demand that senior managers ruled out the use of compulsory redundancies.

The interim university principal, Professor Nigel Seaton, gave evidence to the Scottish Parliament's Education, Children and Young People Committee last Wednesday where he announced further job losses, saying that the total number of jobs lost would exceed the 300 agreed through voluntary severance.

University and College Union (UCU) members at the University of Dundee today, Monday 26th May. begin a further five days of strike action over threatened job losses and staff facing compulsory redundancy.

The union said that members were shocked that staff were still facing compulsory redundancy in both the LRCFS and EduAT. UCU is clear that the EduAT team is transforming the education of disabled students in the UK and beyond, and that the First Minister has stated on the record that the Leverhulme Centre is fundamental to the future of the university.

The union said that Assistive Technology plays a vital role in enabling learners with additional educational needs to achieve their individual potential and that it is baffling that EduAT remains at risk despite being sustainable and profitable. The unique MSc is transforming the lives of all disabled learners by equipping multidisciplinary professionals to assess, provision, support and review Assistive Technology within education, health and social care.