(Image: Archive)
A fourth trade union has joined strike action at Glasgow Caledonian University, saying the collective action will force the institution to close.
The university said its campus would remain open, though its library would close earlier.
The UCU, the EIS and Unison have all walked out due to plans to cut 100 jobs despite an underlying operating surplus of £12.6million and cash reserves of £89m.
The university says it has a predicted deficit of £10m and needs to make 'difficult decisions'.
On Wednesday Unite announced that its members, numbering more than 50, would join the picket lines after overwhelmingly backing strike action.
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That decision means that, for the first time ever, all four campus unions will be on strike at the same time, as they look to push university management to rule out compulsory redundancies.
The unions are identifying the substantial cash reserves and surpluses the university holds as evidence that these jobs cuts are a ‘vindictive choice' by management.
Alison MacLean, Unite regional coordinating officer, said: “This is historic it is the first time all campus unions have collectively taken industrial action at Glasgow Caledonian, it demonstrates the strength of feeling among the workers.
“We want a guarantee that nobody will be forced out the door, but the university’s management has refused to rule this out.
“The joint action will force the university to close its doors and lecture rooms. That is a sad position for the workers and students to be in but that’s a situation the university has brought upon itself.”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Glasgow Caledonian university’s attack on jobs, pay and conditions is unnecessary and a vindicative choice by its management. Our members have been left with no option but to fight back against these unnecessary cuts.”
This week the GCU Students' Association backed a motion of no confidence in principal Mairi Watson and chief financial officer Paul Queen.
A spokesperson for the University said: “The GCU campus is not set for closure, although we will regrettably have to close the library at 6pm.
“It is disappointing that the unions continue to request that we spend our finite reserves, and remove the potential for compulsory redundancies for the dispute to be resolved. The reduction in recurrent income means that this would be irresponsible as it fails to grapple with the long-term structural issues we need to fix.
“Like many universities, we have to make undeniably difficult decisions in the face of a challenging financial climate for higher education. We wouldn't be proposing redundancies unless they were absolutely necessary for the future of the University. We have offered to meet union reps to resolve this dispute and find a way for us all to move forward.”