Zarah ChoudharyUnite has confirmed that hundreds of Dundee University workers are being balloted on industrial action as part of its campaign against potential job losses.
The development follows interim principal Shane O’Neill revealing this week in a letter to the Scottish Parliament that the total amount of jobs at immediate risk could surmount 700 as the university grapples with a £35m deficit.
The job cuts proposal represents 21% of the university’s workforce of 3,259 people.
The ballot opens today, 4th April, and closes on 24th April.
Sharon Graham, general secretary at Unite, said: “Unite will do everything industrially, legally and politically possible to protect the livelihoods of hundreds of workers at Dundee university.
“The situation is in danger of spiralling out of control with the very existence of the university now at risk without Government intervention.
“Unite will support our members every step of the way in defence of their jobs.”
Katrina Currie, industrial officer at Unite, said: “Unite has no option but to respond to the gross financial mismanagement which has shaken Dundee university to its foundations.
“Under no circumstances will we allow compulsory redundancies to take place because the workers are blameless, and they should not have to pay the price for incompetence.
“The Scottish Government needs to intervene to stabilise the situation because this crisis is in danger of inflicting a crushing economic blow to the city.
Workplace Journal has reached out to Dundee University for a comment.
