STAFF at a historic Scottish university have voted in favour of strike action in a new ballot.
The University of Dundee announced in 2024 that it was facing a £30 million cash deficit in its budget.
Bosses at the educational institute have since been trying to plug the deficit, with around 750 employees having left the university since the financial crisis was first revealed.
In February, principal Nigel Seaton opened a second redundancy window in a bid to make around £10m in savings, resulting in a loss of around 180 full-time positions.
The university’s financial crisis has resulted in a raft of resignations from members of management, with the Scottish Government forced to step in and provide a £62m rescue package, which will be paid in instalments over three years.
The UCU has said that despite the widespread cuts and support from the Scottish Government, the university has failed to rule out compulsory redundancies, while also burdening staff with increased workload as they step in to the place of staff who have left.
In response to this, the union began the process of balloting members on strike action.
The ballot ended on Tuesday, with 79% of members backing strikes, with a 58% turnout.
Action short of strike, including working to contract, not covering for absent colleagues, not taking on voluntary activities and a possible marking and assessment boycott was also backed by 89% of members.
Melissa D’Ascenzio, Dundee UCU branch co-president, said: “This is another overwhelming result for strike action and shows that the resolve of our members is as strong as it was when the dispute began.
"Members have again voted to defend jobs and against possible compulsory redundancies.
"Members will decide what industrial action takes place in the coming weeks and months to defend jobs but we’re clear that the first step to finally resolving the dispute is for management to withdraw the threat of compulsory redundancies.
"The emergency funding received from the Scottish Government and the number of staff who have left means they could easily do so.“
Jo Grady, UCU general secretary, added: “The unprecedented number of staff who have left Dundee University is down to the failure and mistakes of the university’s management.
"Today’s ballot result sends yet another clear message that workers at the university demand a solution which doesn’t put the blame on staff and which protects jobs and the university’s future.”
In response to the announcement, a Dundee University spokesperson said: "We are aware of the outcome of the ballot and will wait to hear further details of potential action from DUCU.”
