Lecturers at two prominent Scottish universities have voted decisively in favour of industrial action amid escalating disputes over potential compulsory redundancies and significant budget reductions. The University and College Union (UCU) announced that members at both Heriot-Watt University and the University of Aberdeen have backed strike action, as well as action short of a strike, in separate ballots conducted this week.
Overwhelming Support for Industrial Action
The ballot results reveal strong support among academic staff for taking a stand against management plans. At the University of Aberdeen, an impressive 83% of UCU members voted in favour of strike action, with a turnout of 60%. Additionally, 90% expressed willingness to participate in action short of a strike, which can include working strictly to contract, refusing to cover for absent colleagues, or withdrawing from voluntary activities.
Meanwhile, at Heriot-Watt University, 74% of members backed strike action on a turnout of 70%, with 87% also supporting action short of a strike. These substantial margins demonstrate the depth of concern among teaching and research staff at both institutions.
Dispute Details at Both Universities
The conflict at Aberdeen centres on planned budget cuts and management's refusal to rule out compulsory redundancies, despite the union noting that 40 staff have already departed through voluntary severance or retirement schemes. This marks the second major dispute at the university in less than two years, following a 2024 confrontation where strikes were averted at the last minute when management retreated from similar redundancy plans.
Dan Cutts, Aberdeen UCU branch co-chairman, emphasised the staff's determination: "Once again members of the union at Aberdeen have shown that they're willing to stand up to job cuts and will take action to stop people being forced out. This clear vote shows the strength of feeling among staff and that we see management's plans for what they are; a threat to the student experience, to the workforce and to the breadth of research carried out at the university."
At Heriot-Watt, the dispute follows a proposed "right-sizing exercise" that the union claims could eliminate at least 41 positions at the university's Scottish campuses, with a further 10 jobs at risk in Malaysia. Kate Sang, Heriot-Watt UCU president, warned: "Today's vote shows the strength of feeling against these cuts and the jobs that senior managers want to lose. Sadly, the university has refused to commit to preserving the valuable research time of staff."
Union Leadership Calls for Negotiation
Jo Grady, UCU general secretary, has urgently called upon the principals of both universities to engage in meaningful talks with the union and to explicitly rule out compulsory redundancies. "Members at Heriot-Watt have shown their willingness to take action and defend jobs," she stated. "To avoid this dispute escalating and the possibility of strikes at this busy time of year the principal needs to listen to them, sit down to talks and rule out the use of compulsory redundancies."
Regarding Aberdeen's situation, Grady expressed frustration: "It's unbelievable that management at Aberdeen is again trying to force staff from their jobs. To be back in this position just two years after they were last forced to back down shows that they haven't learnt the lesson. The new principal, Professor Edwards, should sit down with the unions and rule out the use of compulsory redundancies before it's too late and this dispute escalates further."
University Responses and Next Steps
A University of Aberdeen spokesperson defended the institution's position: "The continued challenges and financial pressures testing the UK higher education sector mean change is necessary. Our Adapting for Continued Success transformation programme will help tackle our deficit and also deliver a more resilient, relevant and sustainable university. We understand concerns raised but the prospect of industrial action is disappointing, particularly when our students would be those most affected."
Heriot-Watt University has been approached for comment but had not responded at the time of publication. Union members at both universities are now poised to determine their specific course of action, with strike dates and detailed plans expected to be announced following further internal discussions.
The disputes highlight broader tensions within UK higher education regarding financial sustainability, staff retention, and the preservation of research capabilities during periods of institutional restructuring.
