Four unions strike together at Glasgow Caledonian University

Staff from four unions at Glasgow Caledonian University walked out together on October 15, the first time the unions have taken joint strike action at the institution, amid a dispute over proposed job cuts and compulsory redundancies. The action involved Unite, the University and College Union, the Educational Institute of Scotland and Unison. One report estimated that around 200 staff were striking; before the walkout, reports said more than 50 Unite members were expected to join picket lines. The proposed changes put about 40 posts at risk, according to the university, although Unite has described a larger figure of approximately 50. The dispute centres on the university’s refusal to rule out compulsory redundancies. Glasgow Caledonian University said no compulsory redundancies had been made and that it had explored alternatives, including a mutual severance scheme and vacancy rationalisation. It also said unions had not presented alternative proposals and that it had offered to meet union representatives. Unite has linked the proposed cuts to a £33 million fall in income over two years, which it attributed to fewer international students.