Created on: 01 May 2025
Lecturing staff at Robert Gordon University (RGU) have entered their second day of strike action, in protest against proposed job cuts and compulsory redundancies.
Members of the Educational Institute of Scotland University Lecturers Association (EIS-ULA) will again take to picket lines across the university's campus, demonstrating their strength and solidarity with colleagues in the face of job cuts.
The strike action taking place on the first of May, widely recognised as International Workers Day, is in response to the university's cost-cutting measures and highlights the deep-seated concerns of the academic staff.
There has yet to be adequate discussion to address the EIS’s demands for job security or any expression of a commitment to exploring alternative solutions. The EIS maintains that the proposed redundancies will severely impact the quality of education and research at RGU, undermining the institution's reputation and the student experience.
Commenting, EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley said: "Our members remain resolute in defending their jobs and protecting the quality of education at RGU. The university has failed to engage meaningfully to discuss our concerns and reach an acceptable resolution. Not only are we fighting to stop job cuts, but we are also fighting to ensure that Higher Education provision across Aberdeen and the North-East of Scotland is protected.”
Ms Bradley continued: "If the university pushes forward with its redundancy plans, it will mean an increased workload for those staff that remain. This is likely to lead to an increase in work-related stress amongst academic staff who are already stretched to breaking point.
"It will also lead to a reduction in academic provision and research, with damaging impacts on students, the local community and Aberdeen as a whole.”
The EIS is calling for further negotiations with university management, emphasising the need to protect jobs and maintain educational standards and provision. The Union has reiterated its willingness to engage in constructive dialogue, and has called on the university to show a genuine commitment to avoiding compulsory redundancies.
The strike action is scheduled to continue, with a further strike day planned next week if a resolution is not reached. The EIS will consider escalating its action if necessary, underscoring the determination of its members to defend their livelihoods and the integrity of RGU.
The Union remains hopeful that the university will reconsider its position and engage in meaningful negotiations to avert further disruption and to safeguard the university's future.