Lecturing staff at Robert Gordon University (RGU) have begun a campaign of strike action in a determined effort to protect jobs, stand up for quality education and oppose compulsory redundancies.

Members of the EIS-ULA have taken to picket lines on the university campus on three days of strike action thus far, signalling a significant escalation in the ongoing dispute with university management. The strike action follows a decisive ballot result, with a strong majority of union members voting in favour of industrial action.

The core of the dispute revolves around the university’s proposals for cost-cutting measures, which the EIS argues will lead to substantial job losses and a detrimental impact on educational provision at RGU.
Union representatives have repeatedly called on university management to engage in meaningful negotiations and to rule out compulsory redundancies. However, these calls have been met with insufficient response, leaving staff with no alternative but to take industrial action.

Commenting, EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley said, “Our members are resolute in defending their jobs and protecting the quality of education at RGU. The university has failed to engage meaningfully to discuss our concerns and reach an acceptable resolution. Not only are we fighting to stop job cuts, but we are also fighting to ensure that Higher Education provision across Aberdeen and the North-East of Scotland is protected.”

Ms Bradley continued, “If the university pushes forward with its redundancy plans, it will mean an increased workload for those staff that remain. This is likely to lead to an increase in work-related stress amongst academic staff who are already stretched to breaking point. It will also lead to a reduction in academic provision and research, with damaging impacts on students, the local community and Aberdeen as a whole.”

The EIS is urging the university to return to the negotiating table with a commitment to finding alternative solutions that avoid compulsory redundancies.

Unless this happens, the strike action will continue, with strike days set to take place on the 29th and 30th of May 2025. The EIS-ULA is clear that it is prepared to take action until a satisfactory resolution is found and is seeking support from students and the wider community, in recognition of the vital role that lecturing staff play in the university’s success.

The EIS remains committed to seeking a fair outcome for its members and in ensuring the range of academic provision at RGU is maintained for students now and in the future.