Robert Gordon University lecturers go on strike

Lecturers at Robert Gordon University (RGU) in Aberdeen have gone on strike over redundancies.

RGU announced in November that more redundancies could be made after 130 staff left through a voluntary severance scheme last year. It hopes there will be fewer than 60 further redundancies.

Teaching union the EIS said its members had been left with "no other option" but to take strike action, vowing more strikes in May and September.

The university's principal said decisions were "difficult but necessary" as the sector faces extreme challenges.

It comes amid industrial action at the University of Dundee over hundreds of planned job cuts, while there is also a ballot under way among staff at the University of Edinburgh.

Regan Kyle, who is a lecturer in International Fashion Business, said it was "important to support colleagues who are going through a bit of a tough time".

She added: "There has been voluntary severance happening, which is never an enjoyable experience to go through. Of course, with redundancies it's important to support staff who are going through that.

"It's been going on for over a year now. With rumour mills, things start to spread so I think people have been on their toes for the last year and a bit, nerves are kicking in.

"Obviously you're seeing colleagues who have spent years at RGU who are now being faced with redundancy and it's challenging times."

The EIS said 83% of RGU staff who voted had backed the move.

EIS national officer for higher education Garry Ross said: "They are fighting to protect their jobs, the jobs of their colleagues, and to safeguard the future of quality education at RGU."

Further strikes are planned on 1 May and 7 May, with additional action planned for the week of 8-12 September.

The EIS is urging the university to commit to finding alternatives to compulsory redundancies.

Professor Steve Olivier, principal and vice-chancellor, said RGU had to ensure the institution was in a position to be long-term financially sustainable.

"Against what continues to be an extremely challenging sector context, the actions that have been taken so far have been difficult but necessary," he said.

"The university will continue to make every effort to mitigate compulsory redundancies which will always remain a last resort."

He expressed disappointment at the strike action, adding: "The university will remain in regular and constructive dialogue with the EIS, and other trades union bodies."

The University of Dundee is battling to tackle a £35m deficit and previously announced that 632 positions would be cut.

Earlier this month, the Unite union said members would be balloted on strike action following reports the institution could cut up to 700 jobs.

In February, some staff began three weeks of strike action.

The University and College Union (UCU) Scotland said that 74% of its members had backed the walkout, on a turnout of 64%.

And staff at the University of Edinburgh are also being balloted on strike action in a dispute over plans to cut £140m from its budget and fears of compulsory redundancies.