University of Edinburgh staff plan 25-day strike over proposed job cuts
Members of UCU Scotland at the University of Edinburgh will begin a 25-day strike on September 28 to protest planned redundancies and budget cuts.
The University of Edinburgh disclosed a £140 million reduction programme that could eliminate roughly 1,800 positions, a move intended to keep the institution financially viable. In response, the University Colleges Union (UCU) Scotland branch will strike for 25 days starting September 28, demanding that management rule out compulsory redundancies and engage in meaningful consultation. Union co-secretary Nik Matheou warned of rising workloads and uncertainty for staff, while co-president Lena Wånggren emphasized the need to protect both jobs and students' education.
The university has indicated it seeks to avoid compulsory layoffs where feasible, yet the dispute has persisted for 18 months. UCU general secretary Jo Grady labeled the cuts as “academic vandalism,” noting they represent the largest job reductions in Scottish higher education.
