More than 400 members of Unite working at the University of Strathclyde will walk out on strike on Monday amid proposed job cuts and what the union describes as a lack of consultation.
The strike will begin on Monday, 16 March, and continue until Sunday, 22 March.
Unite says the action will “directly impact the operations of the university”, with estate staff, security workers, laboratory technicians who support students, and cleaners taking part.
The walkout comes in response to a dispute over the university’s announcement in December that it plans to cut 76 full-time posts in an effort to plug a £35 million funding gap.
Unite has described the move as a failure by the institution to properly consult unions over major organisational changes.
Members of Unite plan to hold pickets from 8 am to 11 am, Monday to Friday, with a rally planned for Friday, 20 March, although further details are yet to be confirmed.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:
“Strathclyde University can no longer hide from their cloak-and-dagger proposals to slash jobs. The university is in an overall healthy financial position and there is absolutely no need to attack workers.
“Our members have been left with no option but to fight for their jobs, pay and conditions.”
The union claims that according to the university’s financial statements for 2024-25, its reserves stood at £528.3 million, which it says could be used during a temporary financial downturn.
Unite also highlighted that former principal and vice-chancellor Jim McDonald received a remuneration package of £428,000 in 2025, up from £417,000 in 2024.
The trade union further stated that the university’s executive team shared £3.6 million in remuneration, and noted that the newly appointed principal, Stephen McArthur, who took over the role in September, is expected to receive a similar package.
Alison MacLean, Unite regional coordinating officer, said:
“The university’s management team is choosing to attack its poorest-paid workers. It now appears that in this rush to cut jobs they are not even following their own due processes.
“There remain exorbitant executive pay levels at Strathclyde, and it’s not lost on our members that there are no proposals to reduce this by management. That’s why our members have no option but to fight against such double standards and to take action to protect all jobs at Strathclyde.”
In a message to students, the university said teaching and learning activities are expected to proceed as scheduled during the strike period, and students should attend classes unless they are told otherwise by their department.
Campus buildings will remain open for learning, teaching and study, although library opening hours will be reduced during the strike period.
Alternative study spaces will be available in the Learning and Teaching Building and computer labs across campus.
The university also confirmed that graduation ceremonies scheduled for 17 and 18 March will go ahead as planned.
Hi, I’m Julia Braun Raven, a second-year Journalism, Media & Creative Writing student. I’m co-Editor-in-Chief and Features Editor, and I love creating stories that matter to students, inspiring them, supporting what they’re passionate about, and celebrating their achievements. I’m especially interested in arts, culture, and student life, and I enjoy bringing energy, curiosity, and a love of storytelling to every piece I work on.
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