Dundee strike action called off as compulsory redundancies paused

Strike action has been called off at the University of Dundee after the new vice-chancellor agreed to pause compulsory redundancies. 

The Dundee University and College Union (UCU) cancelled the last day of its planned 25-day walkout after the university decided to suspend the next steps in its compulsory redundancy process for two weeks to carry out further negotiations with the union.

Dundee staff have been striking in protest at plans to cut another 200 jobs. The union has argued that that the university has already lost 815 jobs since it announced a £35 million deficit in 2024, and will struggle to cope with more redundancies. 

Writing to staff on 22 October, Dundee’s new principal and vice-chancellor, Angela Scott, who took over from Nigel Seaton earlier this month, said that she believed a “short pause” to compulsory redundancy plans was in “the best interests of the university”.

She writes: “I believe it is right that we make every reasonable effort to explore whether a resolution can be reached with our DUCU colleagues. Throughout recent weeks, I have heard from many students who have asked that we do everything we can to avoid further industrial action because of the impact it has on their studies, their learning experience and their confidence in the future of the university. 

“I believe we have a responsibility to explore any credible opportunity to secure greater stability for our staff and students.”

However, she warned that “uncertainty cannot continue indefinitely” and said the dispute resolution meetings will be “subject to a clear and limited timeframe”, with the intention of reaching a conclusion “before the winter break”.

“Our fundamental challenge has not changed. The university must achieve the financial sustainability required to secure its future. Any discussions will need to support that objective. At the same time, if there is any opportunity to reduce the number of compulsory redundancies, provide greater certainty for staff and secure a period of stability without industrial action, then I believe we have a duty to explore it,” Scott, a former chief executive of Aberdeen City Council, told staff.

Dundee UCU posted on social media that the university’s decision to pause the next steps of the compulsory redundancy process “would not have happened without our members making sacrifices every day and joining the picket line when they could”.

“We welcome this positive step towards allowing negotiations to move forward. Angela Scott has made the right decision. We also acknowledge the unfairness in the redundancy process which has seen many more professional services colleagues and some academic colleagues be forced to leave the University of Dundee.”

juliette.rowsell@timeshighereducation.com