A strike by staff at the University of Aberdeen has been called off.
Members of the University and College Union (UCU) were due to walk out in a row over plans to cut 150 jobs as the institute embarks on a multi-million pound savings plan.
However, the union announced yesterday it had backed down following the university’s “agreement” to a proposal that would avoid compulsory redundancies.
UCU said that as a result of negotiations, university bosses had agreed to put a proposal before its government body on Tuesday to extend its voluntary redundancy scheme until November 10 – meaning no compulsory redundancies would be made before then.
Local UCU representative, Dr Andrew Mackillop, a senior lecturer at Aberdeen University, said it would work hard alongside the university to make alternative savings in the meantime that will ultimately save livelihoods.
He confirmed planned walk-outs on July 1 and 6 would be scrapped.
“We’re delighted that the university has worked with us to find a way to withdraw the threat of compulsory redundancies and that management will instead look to find savings from voluntary redundancies and natural staff turnover,” he said.
“We will continue to work with the university in the coming months to seek alternative savings and allow staff to focus on their teaching and research rather than worrying about their jobs.”
Professor Jeremy Kilburn, the university’s senior vice-principal, said discussions with the UCU had been “constructive”.
“If the proposal we are putting to Court is passed, the management will no longer seek a mandate from the University Court for a programme of compulsory redundancies and instead, recommend the University Court approve an extension of the current Voluntary Severance and Early Retirement Scheme to November 10, 2015,” he said.
“We remain committed to realising the ambition of our Strategic Plan to grow our position as one of the world’s leading universities and we look forward to working together to achieve this shared vision.”
Aberdeen University announced earlier this year that 150 jobs could go as part of a drive to reduce the university’s budget by at least £10.5million over the next few months in what was described as a “very challenging” funding environment.
Staff were being offered voluntary severance and early retirement packages as the institution looked to save money
When UCU announced it would take strike action, the university said it was “extremely disappointed” and that it was a time for constructive talks rather than “confrontation”.
Mary Senior, UCU Scotland Official, last night added: “We can now move forward more constructively with the employer to focus on ensuring that the University of Aberdeen continues to be one of the best in the world”.