Staff at Edinburgh University have voted in favor of strike action over the threat of compulsory redundancies, the University and College Union (UCU) has confirmed. The decision follows a consultative ballot, in which 75% of voting members supported industrial action.
A further 10% of staff indicated they would participate in work-to-rule measures, including refusing to cover for absent colleagues. The university says the job cuts are part of urgent cost-saving measures to address a £140 million budget deficit.
Edinburgh University Warns of Financial Struggles
University principal Professor Sir Peter Mathieson defended the proposed cuts, stating that while the institution is not yet in deficit, immediate action is needed to secure its financial future.
“We must take clear and decisive action now to avoid financial instability,” Mathieson told BBC Scotland. “These measures—including staff reductions and cuts to operating costs—are necessary to ensure we remain a world-leading university.”
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1582, is one of Scotland’s four ‘ancient’ universities, alongside Glasgow, Aberdeen, and St Andrews.
UCU Demands University Management Rule Out Job Losses
Jo Grady, UCU general secretary, called on university leaders to rethink their approach and rule out compulsory redundancies.
“The ballot results clearly show staff are prepared to take action against these unprecedented cuts,” she said. “Instead of pressing ahead with the largest job losses in Scottish higher education history, Peter Mathieson must work with UCU to protect jobs and use university reserves.”
Grady also urged Scottish politicians to intervene, warning that cuts of this scale would cause lasting damage to one of Scotland’s most prestigious universities.
What Happens Next?
With the UCU ballot confirming staff support for strike action, the next step will be formal negotiations between the union and university leadership. If no agreement is reached, industrial action could disrupt teaching, research, and student services in the coming months.
As tensions rise, the spotlight is now on Edinburgh University management and Scottish government officials to find a solution that protects jobs, students, and the institution’s global reputation.
