BOSSES at a Scottish university have axed nearly 200 jobs as the institution continues to battle financial pressures.
Robert Gordon University (RGU) in Aberdeen confirmed on Wednesday that 188 roles have been made redundant, STV News reports.
It comes as members of the EIS trade union plan to take further strike action on Thursday over the threat of compulsory redundancies.
While most of the jobs axed on Wednesday were done through voluntary redundancy, it is understood around 18 staff members lost their jobs through compulsory redundancy.
RGU has initially said last November that around 135 jobs were at risk due to significant financial challenges.
The EIS said its members have been left with no choice but to take further strike action following previous walkouts in April and May.
It comes as staff at the University of the West of Scotland are also set to take strike action on Thursday over potential job cuts.
EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley said: "Our members are resolute in their fight to defend their jobs and protect the quality of education at RGU and UWS.
“Staff are being forced to take strike action as neither university has made any attempt to resolve their respective disputes, instead deciding to push forward with plans to make staff redundant.
‘‘These job losses will no doubt have a detrimental impact on local communities, the students who study at these institutions and the colleagues who remain after staff have left or been dismissed.
“Both universities have failed to provide a no compulsory redundancy guarantee, and our members have been left with no choice but to take a stand by striking.”
A RGU spokesperson said: “We have a continuing commitment to avoiding and minimising, wherever possible, any compulsory redundancies at the university.
“The redundancy processes associated with our finance transformation project have now concluded, and the vast majority of affected colleagues have left the university. Most chose to leave voluntarily, with circa 10% of the 188 staff that have left being subject to compulsory redundancy.
“The university is continually evolving to meet the needs of our students, staff, and the wider sector. This means we must remain agile and responsive to changing circumstances, which, like any organisation, may involve further adjustments over time.
"Any such changes will be approached with care, transparency, and a commitment to minimising impact, guided by our shared goal of long-term sustainability and success.”
