Strike begins at Aberdeen University in protest against job cuts

The strike was organised by the University and College Union (UCU), the BBC reported. As part of the action, university staff are expected to stop work for four days. The first two days of the strike fall on Thursday and Friday, while the remaining two days are scheduled for next week.

Union representatives say the planned cuts could negatively affect the quality of education at the university. According to them, reducing the number of staff could lead to overcrowded classes, increased workloads for lecturers and less academic support for students.

During the strike, some students also joined the picket line set up at the university’s entrances to show their support for the action. Students said that lecturers’ working conditions are directly linked to their learning conditions, and therefore it is important to show solidarity.

University management, however, described the strike as “disappointing” and said efforts would be made to minimise the impact on students. In an official statement, the university noted that the higher education sector is currently facing serious financial challenges and that management is exploring ways to address these problems.

The university leadership had previously announced that a number of measures were being taken to stabilise its financial situation. These include a recruitment freeze, as well as voluntary redundancy and early retirement programmes. It was reported that more than 40 employees accepted redundancy packages or early retirement offers last year.

The management also said that cost-saving measures have helped reduce the budget deficit for the 2024–2025 financial year. The university aims to fully balance its finances by 2028.

Other higher education institutions in Scotland are also facing financial difficulties. For example, the University of Edinburgh has recently announced major cost-cutting plans, while the University of Dundee has received additional government support due to financial challenges. The Scottish government said it wants to ensure a successful and sustainable future for the higher education sector.