Union announces more Aberdeen University strike days

Staff at the University of Aberdeen are to stage a further 10 days of strikes, in an ongoing dispute over cuts.

The University and College Union (UCU) said the new walkouts were over the university's continued refusal to rule out compulsory redundancies, a limited unpausing of promotions and a lack of meaningful consultation.

Four days of strike action took place in March and now fresh strikes are planned for 13 and 14 April, 22 to 24 April and 27 April to 1 May.

The university said a pause on academic promotions had been partially lifted but challenges across the sector remained "acute". It added it would do all it could to minimise disruption.

Dan Cutts, Aberdeen UCU branch co-chair said: "Members have overwhelmingly backed an additional 10 days of strike action due to a lack of meaningful progress on the core issues of the dispute.

"Our message is clear and unchanged: rule out compulsory redundancies, fully restore promotions, and engage in meaningful consultation.

"Our members do not take industrial action lightly; however, the cost of inaction would be significant and long-lasting".

In a statement the University of Aberdeen said that while it would do everything possible to achieve any staffing changes by voluntary means it could not rule out compulsory redundancies as a "last resort".

It said members of the trade union had been offered membership on all its transformation programme workstreams.

"We continue to engage with the campus trade unions and will do all we can to minimise disruption to students," it added.