Staff at the University of Stirling have voted in favour of industrial action in a dispute over job cuts and the University’s failure to rule out compulsory redundancies.
The UCU (University and College Union) opened the ballot on January 5, allowing members until today, February 17, to vote.
A majority of 80 per cent of UCU members voted in favour of strike action.
A further 88 per cent also supported actions other than striking, such as a marking and assessment boycott.
Despite the high number of votes in favour, only 66 per cent of the membership voted.
UCU members in the branch will now decide what action they want to take.
The UCU’s ballot was provoked by financial cuts the Union describes as unjustified, given that the University of Stirling’s principal Gerry McCormac is the highest paid higher eduction boss in Scotland.
Last year, the University lost 175 staff in a voluntary severance scheme they said was designed to support long-term financial sustainability.
McCormac, who recently announced his upcoming retirement, makes £428,000 a year including benefits.
The UCU says it is questioning the fairness of the exorbitant pay of senior leaders when job security is seemingly not an institutional priority.
A spokesperson for the Stirling UCU branch, said: “There is no need or justification for more job losses at the university. Before this dispute escalates further we urge Professor McCormac and university senior management to pull back from the brink; revisit their financial strategy and its associated targets, and prioritise the protection of existing jobs at Stirling.
“If the university can afford to pay its principal well over £400,000 a year, then we can absolutely afford to protect the jobs of the staff who deliver the teaching and research essential to the university’s purpose and mission.”
Jo Grady, UCU General Secretary, said: “Professor Sir Gerry McCormac will enjoy his retirement with a healthy pension while the staff at the university who teach students and carry out world leading research face job insecurity and not knowing if they have a future there. It’s time for Professor McCormac to engage with the unions, rule out compulsory redundancies and end this dispute.”
A spokesperson for the University of Stirling said: “The University is disappointed by the outcome of this ballot, which comes as the sector continues to face deep-rooted, structural and sustained external challenges. Our focus continues to be on strengthening the University’s long-term financial sustainability.
“We will continue to engage in open and constructive dialogue with the University and College Union, as we prioritise minimising the impact of any potential action on students’ learning and teaching.”
Featured image credit: Jonathan Boomer via Brig Newspaper
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