Created on: 08 Aug 2024
The Robert Gordon University (RGU) branch of the EIS University Lecturers’ Association (EIS-ULA) has opened a consultative ballot in response to cutbacks, including lecturers’ jobs, at the university, following a reported £11.1 million recurrent deficit for the 2023/24 academic year.
Members are being asked in a consultative ballot if they are willing to take industrial action up to and including strike action in defence of jobs as the university seeks to reach an £18 million savings target with £10.5 million in staff savings.
The consultative ballot will run from the 1st of August until the 22nd of August.
Commenting on the ballot, EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley said, “Despite the fact that voluntary severance uptake has eased some of the financial strains on RGU, there are still members who have been advised that they are at risk of compulsory redundancy and thus redundancy consultation meetings are ongoing.
“The EIS-ULA is clear that compulsory redundancy is unacceptable in any situation; and further opposes voluntary redundancies where additional work and stress is placed on remaining staff who are left to carry the workload burden which does not disappear when staff numbers diminish.
“The EIS-ULA stands ready to meet with RGU management at any time, should it wish to resolve this dispute and avoid industrial action at the university.”