Union warns of ‘year of disruption’ at university amid ongoing cuts row

A union has warned of a “year of disruption” at the University of Edinburgh, after lecturers backed further industrial action in a long-running dispute over job cuts.

Members of the University and College Union (UCU) at the university voted 88% in favour of further strike strike action, on a turnout of 55%.

A total of 94% of those who voted backed action short of a strike, which could include working to contract, not covering for absent colleagues and the possibility of a marking and assessment boycott.

Following recent changes to employment law, the vote means the union now has a mandate for strike action that lasts 12 months, rather than the previous six.

The news comes in the midst of a five-day walkout by UCU members, which was called after the union claimed management pulled back from commitments given in December – something the university has strongly refuted.

It also comes after multiple walkouts last year over the university’s plans, announced in February 2025, to slash its budget by £140 million – which the union said could result in the loss of up to 1,800 jobs.

Sophia Woodman, president of the UCU Edinburgh branch, said: “Over a year since the announcement of cuts and job losses, and with staff having taken more than 10 days of action this result, shows how resolute members are about saving jobs and opposing management’s brutal cuts.

“The action taken so far has saved jobs, and this result and possibility of a further year of disruption should be a wake-up call to the principal to engage meaningfully and find a resolution to this dispute.”

Jo Grady, UCU general secretary, said: “This new mandate means there could now be a further year of disruption at Edinburgh if management won’t work with us to resolve this dispute.

“Having failed to do so since announcing these cuts 13 months ago, it now needs to engage meaningfully with members and rule out compulsory redundancies.”

Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Edinburgh, said: “Trade unions have an important role in times of change.

“However, students need stability to make the most of their time at university and protecting teaching and assessment from disruption must be a priority.

“While we respect the right to ballot, further industrial action risks undermining the progress we have made and we urge union leaders to keep working with us to secure a sustainable future.

“Standing still is not an option – it would leave the university in a much more precarious financial position.

“We are making the difficult but responsible decisions necessary to cut costs across all areas, increase income and protect our global standing, with an ongoing commitment to avoid compulsory redundancies whenever possible.”