Created on: 22 May 2026
Members of the Educational Institute of Scotland University Lecturers Association have delivered a powerful mandate for strike action at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) in response to the university’s proposed redundancies.
Over 95% of members who participated in the ballot supported taking industrial action, a clear indication of their inherent opposition to the university’s proposals.
GCU announced in March this year that it was seeking up to 100 redundancies across the university. The EIS believe these redundancies will have a hugely detrimental impact on the academic quality and provision offered at the university and will negatively impact the quality of education that students receive.
The staff cuts would also place additional burdens on an already stretched workforce at GCU. This is against the backdrop of the university announcing £88M of cash reserves in its latest financial statement, with the expectation that these will increase to £94M by the end of the 2025-26 academic year.
The EIS lodged a dispute in March in response to the proposed redundancies. A lack of meaningful consultation, including a complete rejection of alternative proposals put forward by recognised trade unions, and a failure to resolve the dispute has resulted in a ballot for strike action being opened earlier this month. The ballot closed today with a strong mandate for industrial action in order to protect jobs.
Commenting on the ballot results, EIS National Officer for Higher Education, Garry Ross stated, “With over 95% of those who voted electing to take strike action, our members are unequivocal in their message to GCU management- they do not accept the rationale for these cuts and will fight against any proposed redundancies. University staff are hard-working, dedicated professionals who are not only concerned for the job losses the institution is set on making, but the impact the removal of these posts will have on the number of courses available at the university and the quality of the learning and teaching that students will receive in future at GCU.”
He added “There is no need for the university to be making these staff cuts. GCU hold one of the largest cash reserves of any post-92 university in Scotland. The university management needs to hold constructive talks with the EIS and give a guarantee that there will be no compulsory redundancies at the institution. Our members, along with other recognised trade unions, will take strike action to save jobs and the academic capacity and integrity of GCU."
The EIS urges GCU management to reconsider their redundancy plans and engage with the union to find an alternative solution that protects jobs. The union remains open to talks and reaching a resolution to the dispute which would avert disruptive strike action, but is clear that its members are prepared to take strike action to defend their livelihoods and the quality of education at GCU.