STAFF at Queen Margaret University are on their second day of strikes amid a dispute over job losses and cuts to research time.
The walkouts by members of the University and College Union (UCU) began on 6 July, and will conclude on Tuesday as students attend their graduation ceremonies.
Striking lecturers have taken to the outside of Edinburgh’s Usher Hall to congratulate their former students while asking them to put pressure on university management to protect jobs.
The dispute centres around plans to save £4m from staffing costs over the next two years. Job losses are expected to be necessitated.
UCU has called on the university to rule out compulsory redundancies, something the institution has so far refused to do.
They claim that a voluntary redundancy scheme has been running at the university, but more than five jobs are still thought to be at risk.
Cuts have also extended to staff members’ research hours, which are also under threat.
92% of staff on a 62% turnout voted to back strike action.
Judith Lane, QMU UCU branch co-president said: “Management at QMU seem determined to drive through these cuts but the ballot result and the strike this week show UCU members’ determination to protect every job and push back against these unnecessary cuts.
“Management’s refusal to rule out compulsory redundancies despite the relatively low number affected shows that these cuts and their brutal nature are a choice rather than a financial necessity.”
UCU General Secretary, Jo Grady, added: “QMU staff don’t deserve to be treated the way they are being by management.
“Students thinking of applying to study at the university also deserve clarity on who’ll be there to teach them next year and that they’ll be joining a university with research-informed teaching for the duration of their degree.
“The UCU branch at QMU is right to be striking this week to defend jobs and will continue to have the full support of UCU nationally in this dispute.”
Many staff members elected to take action short of a strike, such as not covering for absent colleagues and undertaking voluntary activities, instead.
A Queen Margaret University spokesperson said: “While we recognise the right of trade unions to take action, we are disappointed that the UCU is calling on its members to take strike action on the dates of our graduation ceremonies.
“However, we can assure our graduating students and their friends and families that the strike should not affect their graduation experience in any significant way.
“The UCU’s action arises out of the university’s carefully considered programme of action to protect the institution’s long-term financial sustainability.
“We have been consulting with trade unions throughout this programme, and are fully committed to ensuring that all consultation is genuine and meaningful.
“With the aim of keeping redundancies to the absolute minimum, this consultation has already delivered positive outcomes.”
