Universities braced for disruption as 14 days of walkouts planned by staff

DISPUTES: Unrest over pensions and pay will affect 13 institutions across Scotland

Universities in Tayside and Fife are bracing themselves for disruption as staff and unions plan one of the biggest ever strikes to hit higher education.

Dundee and St Andrews Universities are among 13 institutions across Scotland facing 14 days of staff walkouts.

Members of the University and College Union (UCU) embroiled in two disputes – one over pensions, and another over pay and working conditions – are planning the largest wave of strikes ever seen on UK campuses.

Striking staff will be on picket lines outside entrances to their respective universities and a rally outside the

Scottish Parliament is planned.

UCU Scotland official Mary Senior said: “It is incredibly frustrating that UCU members are being forced to walk out again to secure fair pay, conditions and pensions.

“This unprecedented level of action shows just how angry staff are at their universities’ refusal to negotiate properly with us.

“If universities want to avoid continued disruption then they need to get their representatives back to the negotiating table with serious options to resolve these disputes.”

A spokesperson for St Andrews University said it had issued guidance to students and staff, and would again be setting up a strike helpdesk at its advice and support centre.

The spokesperson added: “Students should not be penalised because of this national dispute. It can only be resolved by meaningful negotiation at a national level to reach a settlement that is fair to staff and sustainable for their institutions.”

A spokesperson for Dundee University said: “At Dundee, from results issued by the Electoral Reform Services, out of 414 union members who were entitled to vote, 239 votes were cast, of which 168 voted for strike action.

“During the first round of strike action in November and December, the final daily totals of staff who reported that they had withheld their labour ranged between 82 and 102 people.

“This is from an overall staff complement of more than 3,000 people. It is likely there will be impact on some students in certain areas of the university, while many others will be almost completely unaffected.

“We are working to minimise the impact on students and ensure their learning is not significantly disrupted.”

Picture: Mhairi Edwards. Ann Swinney, senior lecturer at Dundee University and UCU branch president, alongside other members striking.