By Stephen Bark

Copyright dailyrecord

Lecturers at the University of the West of Scotland’s (UWS) Ayr Campus have today walked out in a dispute over job cuts and planned redundancies. Earlier this year, members of the Educational Institute of Scotland’s (EIS) University Lecturers Association (ULA) voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking action at the university . Picket lines were formed outside the university as some students began returning following the summer break and new students arrived for inductions at the start of the academic year. UWS have said that they are “committed to avoiding compulsory redundancies” and that a “voluntary severance scheme” remains open. The university has been forced to make staffing cuts after a “significant reduction” in funded places from the Scottish Funding Council. The EIS has said that members’ decision to strike “is a last resort” and that they have been left “with no alternative”. Further strike dates are planned throughout September and October if no resolution can be found in the dispute. If there is no breakthrough, strikes at UWS’s campuses in Ayr, Dumfries , Paisley and Blantyre will go ahead on September 16, 22 and 23 as well as October 2, 3, 7, 8, 20 and 21. In an unrelated dispute, strikes are also taking place at Robert Gordon University (RGU) in Aberdeen at the same time as the UWS walkout tomorrow. Commenting ahead of the strike action, Andrea Bradley, general secretary of the EIS, said: “Our members are resolute in their fight to defend their jobs and protect the quality of education at RGU and UWS. “Staff are being forced to take strike action as neither university has made any attempt to resolve their respective disputes, instead deciding to push forward with plans to make staff redundant. “These job losses will no doubt have a detrimental impact on local communities, the students who study at these institutions and the colleagues who remain after staff have left or been dismissed. “Both universities have failed to provide a no compulsory redundancy guarantee, and our members have been left with no choice but to take a stand by striking.” A spokesperson for UWS said: “UWS remains committed to avoiding compulsory redundancies. “As EIS colleagues know, a voluntary severance scheme is open, and it is hoped that this approach will avoid the need for compulsory redundancy. “We remain in an ongoing consultation process with our recognised Trade Unions. Our approach has been transparent from the outset and our position regarding compulsory redundancies has remain unchanged. “UWS has seen a significant reduction in funded places from the Scottish Funding Council and our plan for a change in the academic workforce aligns with that reduction in funding. “Since 2022/23, the overall funded places have reduced from 12,735.3 to 10,850 for the coming year; a fall of more than 1,800 places. “The challenge facing UWS is not unique, and throughout the process we have focused on ensuring we continue to deliver an excellent student experience and enhanced graduate outcomes – it is a matter of significant regret that the planned industrial action is highly likely to have a detrimental impact on our new and continuing students as they start a new academic year.” Don’t miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter