Robert Gordon University lecturers announce strike dates

Robert Gordon University lecturers have announced dates for strike action over job cuts and redundancies.

The EIS has revealed its members at the university will stage industrial action on Tuesday 15 April.

This will be followed by further strikes on Thursday 1 May and Wednesday 7 May, with additional strike action set to take place in the week of 8-12 September.

It comes after it was revealed 130 more roles were being put at risk of redundancy after 135 staff left through voluntary redundancy last year.

Principal and Vice-Chancellor at RGU, Professor Steve Oliver, said the university is "disappointed" that EIS members have voted for strike action.

Professor Oliver said: "The University has, at every opportunity, done all that it can to mitigate against the potential of compulsory redundancies.

“This includes the option of staff leaving voluntarily on enhanced terms and, through our redeployment process, having the opportunity of applying for an alternative role within the University.

"We are therefore disappointed that EIS members have decided to vote for strike action. We will continue to engage constructively with their representatives during what is an extremely challenging time for the sector."

A recent ballot, organised by the EIS, resulted in a strong majority vote in favour of strike action, with 83% of those voting backing strike action.

The union has notified the university of the move to strike action and has called on bosses to negotiate ruling out compulsory redundancies.

EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley said, “Any move to strike action is taken as a last resort, but our members at Robert Gordon have been left with no alternative as they seek to fend off the university’s cuts agenda.

"The EIS will always stand in opposition to compulsory redundancies, and our members will now commence strike action as the campaign against job cuts at Robert Gordon continues.”

Ms Bradley continued, “The move to strike action follows on from a very clear ballot result, where our members at RGU indicated their willingness to take strike action to oppose the university’s programme of cuts.

"The scale of the cuts proposed at RGU is alarming, with significant job losses and a serious impact on learning and teaching across the university.”

“The EIS again offers the university the opportunity to bring this dispute to an end by halting its programme of cuts and ruling out compulsory redundancies. It is in the best interests of RGU, its students and staff for an agreement to be reached that will ensure a fair resolution for all concerned."

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