By Amelia Boag, Fred Byrne & Innes Paton.
Senior management yesterday rejected a deal that would have seen a pause on compulsory redundancies and an end to current industrial action at University of Aberdeen.
The University and College Union (UCU) offered to end their 10-day strike action if senior management could guarantee no compulsory redundancies until at least October.
Following strike days in March and April, staff plan to strike for eight more days on Wednesday 22nd to Friday 24th April, and for a further week starting on Monday 27th April.
Placards protesting Principal Professor Pete Edwards have also appeared around campus this week.
Dan Cutts, UCU Aberdeen co-chair, said that by rejecting the UCU proposal, senior management “have put staff livelihoods and the student experience at risk.”
UCU official Mike Williamson said senior management’s rejection of the proposal was “to the great disappointment of staff and students.”
Under the rejected agreement, academics would have been guaranteed that they won’t be forced to leave for at least six months, with the university instead running schemes such as voluntary severance and pursuing savings elsewhere.
“Although the proposal was submitted last week, UCU were required to wait a further week for a response due to the Principal’s absence in the United States,” Cutts added.
While staff stood at picket lines last week, Principal Professor Pete Edwards flew to New York City for the Tartan Week Parade amid questions on senior management travel expenses.
UCU rep Cutts said, “Throughout this period, we have consistently demonstrated our willingness to engage constructively and resolve this dispute.”
A University of Aberdeen spokesperson said management “disappointingly fell short of mutual agreement” with UCU yesterday.
The university added, “We remain unable to rule out compulsory redundancy, however have committed to prioritising every possible voluntary measure in seeking to avoid these.”
Interim Senior Governor Gary McRae has previously told us it would be financially irresponsible to rule out compulsory redundancies.
The so-called Adapting for Continued Success restructuring plans to save or generate £12 million over the next two years aim to phase out less popular courses and increase minimum staff-student ratios.
21 PhD courses have already stopped recruiting, reported The Herald, with the university refusing to identify the withdrawn courses.
Staff at the university feel concerned that plans may threaten their livelihoods, with UCU deciding on industrial action due to Prof Edward’s refusal to rule out compulsory redundancies.
Restructuring plans are set to be approved by University Court at the end of April, with over 1,100 signatures in a petition asking court members to reject restructuring plans.
Academics in University Senate have also voted to oppose the restructuring proposals as they struggle to access data driving the plans.
UCU rep Williamson said, “University court meets next week and will be asking questions about why this strike action could not be avoided. From UCU’s perspective it is clear who is to blame.”
Despite numerous and persistent requests, The Gaudie has not been able to interview new Prof Edwards since his appointment as Principal in November.