Created on: 05 Sep 2025
Last week, the statutory re-ballot for industrial action in our dispute over cuts to academic staff with RGU opened i.e. the independent scrutineers posted the ballot papers to members at the end of last week.
If you have not yet received your ballot paper, please email ballot@eis.org.uk with your name and home address, and we will arrange for a duplicate to be issued to you.
The objective of this re-ballot, and the continuing strike action, is to force RGU to commit to halting cuts to academic numbers, supporting colleagues who are still at risk of being made redundant.
Having an extended strike mandate would maintain pressure on RGU management, and this can only be done if a majority of our branch votes for strike action.
We believe that there are only a handful of members left facing redundancy. Others have been dismissed by redundancy or have left the University “voluntarily”.
The RGU management and leadership may be regarded as operating a “hard” human resources management approach. This general approach is described by one website as:
"In this approach, employees are viewed as valuable resources, much like any other valuable assets that contribute to your business objectives. It puts emphasis on efficiency to ensure productivity and achieve concrete outcomes.
Key components of hard HRM include strict performance metrics, centralised decision-making, and a focus on strategic workforce planning.
Within the framework of hard HRM, the employment relationship is transactional, where the employer expects specific skills and outputs from employees in exchange for compensation and benefits. The business model tends to be hierarchical, with a clear chain of command and usually involves one-way communication."
The EIS believes that the only way that staff may defend themselves from such leadership is to act collectively – stick together. We believe that obtaining another strike mandate through this re-ballot is the best way to maintain pressure on the University.
Please vote and return your ballot paper as soon as possible.
The EIS recommends that you vote Yes.
In solidarity
David Belsey
Assistant General Secretary