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All four Glasgow Caledonian University unions strike together for the first time over job cuts

Sharon Graham, Unite's boss, who called it a "vindictive choice" for Glasgow Caledonian University to pursue job cuts while holding roughly £92.8 million in cash reserves.
Sharon Graham, Unite's boss, who called it a "vindictive choice" for Glasgow Caledonian University to pursue job cuts while holding roughly £92.8 million in cash reserves.

Staff at Glasgow Caledonian University are set to walk out on Thursday in a historic joint strike, with all four campus unions — UCU, EIS, Unison and Unite — taking industrial action simultaneously for the first time ever. The dispute centres on plans to cut around 50 posts and management's refusal to rule out compulsory redundancies amid a £33 million drop in income. Students' Association leaders have passed a vote of no confidence in principal Mairi Watson and chief financial officer Paul Queen. Unions say the strike will shut the university, though GCU insists only the library will close early.

Unions point to £88.9 million in cash reserves as proof the cuts are 'a vindictive choice' by management.

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said the job cuts are 'unnecessary' and members 'had no option but to fight back.'

GCU says it faces a predicted £10 million deficit and must make 'difficult decisions' despite its published surplus.

MoreThe IndependentUniversity staff to strike in dispute over job cuts and compulsory redundanciesThe HeraldGlasgow Caledonian University 'to close' as fourth union joins strike actionThe National ScotGCU faces shutdown as all four unions strike over job cuts - The National ScotUnite the UnionGlasgow Caledonian University set for closure as Unite members join strike action - Unite the Union
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