Planned job cuts at UHI prompt union strike ballot

UHI is a network of colleges, specialist teaching centres and research institutes

Union members at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) are being balloted on strike action in a dispute over compulsory redundancies.

It comes after management announced plans to cut 16 jobs at UHI's executive office as part of wider efforts to make savings of about £2m.

The University and College Union (UCU) said the plans would be a "devastating blow" to the staff affected and that it would impact the quality of education at UHI.

A UHI spokesperson said the university was taking proactive measures to secure long term financial stability.

The UCU said compulsory redundancies were a "red line" and called for management to find other ways of making financial savings.

The union also said the numbers "did not add up" and was worried there could be even more job cuts in the future.

The announcement of 16 job losses comes two years after union members took strike action over a previous round of redundancies at UHI's executive office.

The new ballot asks union members if they are prepared to take strike action once again. It closes on 7 October.

'Same mistakes'

UCU UHI branch president, Conchúr Ó Giollagáin, said the plans would have a huge impact on the people who lost their jobs, while leaving other staff with increased workloads.

He added that the university itself would be less able to deliver the education students and communities across the Highlands and Islands deserved.

Jo Grady, UCU general secretary accused management of "making the same mistakes".

She added: "Sadly, we're back having to ballot for industrial action, but I've no doubt members will do the right thing to save jobs and secure the university's long-term future by voting 'yes'."

'Proactive measures'

A UHI spokesperson said that "rising inflation, coupled with flat-cash public funding," had created significant challenges.

They added: "Despite constructive engagement with the trade union and sharing detailed financial information, we have not been able to identify viable alternatives that would achieve the necessary progress towards financial balance."

"Like many institutions across the higher education sector, the University of the Highlands and Islands is taking proactive measures to secure long term financial sustainability for the benefit of our students, staff and communities."

UHI is a network of colleges, specialist teaching centres and research institutes.

It has 48 locations across the Highlands, Western Isles, Northern Isles, Argyll, Moray and Perthshire.