UHI staff to strike over job cuts and compulsory redundancies

Staff at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) are to take four days of strike action in protest against plans to cut 16 jobs at the institution’s executive office.

Members of the University and College Union (UCU) will strike on 30 October, 5 November, 17 November and 18 November 2025. The union said members will also begin action short of a strike, including working to contract, refusing to cover for their colleagues and withdrawing from voluntary duties.

The action follows a ballot in which 71% of voting members backed strike action on a turnout of 82%. The dispute centres on management plans to make 16 posts redundant as part of measures to save £2m. UCU said the use of compulsory redundancies is “unacceptable” and warned the cuts would increase workloads for remaining staff.

UCU UHI branch vice-president Sorcha Kirker said: “Management at UHI have been warned time after time that staff are angry at these cuts and, in particular, with the use of compulsory redundancies. After an overwhelming ballot result, and with strike action now planned for 30 October, it’s still not too late for management to resolve this dispute, cease the unfair use of compulsory redundancies and to sit down and find a solution that saves jobs and protects the university’s future.

“If they don’t then UCU members are determined to see through the strike action they voted for and the only people to blame will be senior management.”

UCU general secretary Jo Grady added: “It’s appalling that UHI management continue to press ahead with cuts and job losses including using compulsory redundancies. After recent cuts, staff workloads are already sky-high and the loss of more jobs will make a difficult situation even worse.

“Students know who’s to blame for the disruption strikes will cause and I’d urge the principal, even at the last minute, to take the steps necessary to end the dispute.”