Members of the Educational Institute of Scotland University Lecturers Association (EIS ULA) at Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) are to commence strike action in an escalation of a dispute over job cuts and redundancies at the university.

A recent ballot, organised by the EIS, resulted in an overwhelming majority vote in favour of strike action, with 92.5% of those voting backing strike action.

The EIS has notified the university of the move to strike and again urged the ENU management to return to the negotiating table with a promise to rule out compulsory redundancies.

EIS members at ENU have expressed their grave concerns over the negative impact of the planned cuts on their and their colleagues’ jobs and workloads, as well as the detrimental repercussions to academic provision and educational experience for students.

Nick Cimini, EIS ULA Branch Secretary at the University commented, “These job cuts are totally unnecessary and unfair. Edinburgh Napier University remains financially sound, with healthy reserves and no debt.

“The crisis in Scottish higher education funding is caused by insufficient government funding, but Edinburgh Napier University can manage this challenge without compulsory redundancies. It has the time and resources to ensure that the University’s students and staff are not forced to suffer.”

The union continues to call on the university to reconsider its position and engage in constructive dialogue to resolve the dispute and prevent disruption for students at a critical point in the academic year.