Glasgow Caledonian Lecturers Begin Graduation Day Strikes
Academic staff at Glasgow Caledonian University have initiated a series of strike days coinciding with all graduation ceremonies scheduled over the summer. The industrial action is in response to proposed job losses at the university.
Members of the Educational Institute of Scotland University Lecturers Association (EIS-ULA) voted to undertake industrial action following an unresolved dispute lodged in March.
EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley stated that staff are striking to protect 100 jobs, as well as research and course provision.
The university has attributed the need to reduce posts to a decline in income from overseas students.
Strike days are planned for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week, as well as on 4 August, and 7, 8, and 10 September.
Dr Nick McKerell, branch secretary of EIS-ULA, noted, "GCU has significant cash reserves of £95m, one of the highest in the country. A fraction of that could be used to save jobs in the short term." He also mentioned that the union had proposed a costed plan which could avoid the cuts.
Andrea Bradley added, "Holding strikes on graduation dates would maximise impact, and we hope that students, along with their family and friends, will show support for their lecturers who helped them get to the point of graduation." She further remarked that students were supportive of the action.
Glasgow Caledonian University has reported financial challenges due to a loss of income from international students.
The university management is pursuing a targeted voluntary redundancy scheme aimed at reducing a projected £10 million deficit.
A university spokesman explained that the proposal to reduce posts follows a substantial drop in income from overseas students.
He stated, "Our campuses will be open as normal and we will do everything possible to minimise disruption."
Earlier in the month, members of the University and College Union (UCU) at Glasgow Caledonian also engaged in strike action for three days.
