Staff at University of Aberdeen "overwhelmingly" back strike action

Staff at the University of Aberdeen have voted in favour of strike action in a dispute over cuts to the language department and redundancies.

The University and College Union (UCU) Scotland says 80% of members voted to take industrial action in a turnout of 60%.

Dr Rachel Shanks, UCU's Aberdeen branch chair, says it's "not too late" for senior management to work with the union to find alternative solutions to redundancies.

Dr Shanks said: “By voting in these numbers, UCU members at the University of Aberdeen have made it abundantly clear that senior managers need to rethink their plans to cut jobs and cut the university’s offer in languages.

"The ballot result is a mandate for industrial action and to oppose job cuts.

“Aberdeen is an important employer in North-East Scotland and cuts of this scale will have a serious impact on the economy locally, the student experience, and both the university and city’s reputation.

"It is not too late for university managers to work with UCU, and others and to find alternatives that don’t involve such drastic cuts and job losses.”

End to single-honours language degrees

In autumn, the university launched a consultation with three options including an end to all degree programmes in languages.

The consultation process was launched to address the "unsustainability of current provision" with a loss of over £1.5 million each year - the university says this is due to a "long-term decline" in enrolments.

In December, the university then revealed it would be scrapping single-honours degrees in languages - meaning students will no longer have the option to study French, Gaelic, German or Spanish as a stand-alone degree from September 2024.

This was followed by backlash from campaigners and a rally was held on campus calling for the consultation to be halted.

The consultation was later extended until mid-February.

"Serious financial challenges"

A statement from the university says dialogue is ongoing with modern languages staff and if strikes do occur, "every effort" will be made to ensure a minimal impact on students.

A University of Aberdeen spokesperson said: “The University of Aberdeen is like many others across the UK facing serious financial challenges. We are taking essential action to generate extra income and to make savings.

“We understand the strength of feeling across the University with regard to potential job losses. Early retirement and voluntary service applications are our focus. Compulsory redundancy is something that the University always seeks to avoid.

“We hope that ongoing dialogue with colleagues in Modern Languages and union representatives will mean that industrial action will not take place. If it does, every effort will be made to minimise the impact on students. They will be given expert advice and kept updated.

“Following confirmation by the University Court that the University will continue to offer joint honours degree programmes in Modern Languages, including Gaelic, we have been engaged in direct constructive discussion with our colleagues and also representatives of Aberdeen UCU.

“Colleagues have this week brought forward proposals for the future direction of Modern Languages which are being considered. Industrial action would be regrettable as we explore all options for ensuring the future academic and financial sustainability of our Modern Languages degrees."