Message from Senior Vice Principal Karl Leydecker on the industrial dispute involving UCU.
Dear colleagues,
I am writing with an update on the industrial action and discussions with Aberdeen UCU. The University as always remains keen to avoid industrial action whenever possible, be it national or local.
We have continued to meet with Aberdeen UCU throughout the dispute, and at a meeting on Monday last week, Aberdeen UCU were quite clear that any discussions in relation to the national days of strike action (25th-29th September) were not on the table for discussion. At a meeting on Thursday Aberdeen UCU again made clear that they would need to apply to the national Higher Education Committee before being able to commit to suspend the national strike days.
On Friday last week, the UCU national Higher Education Committee met and agreed to allow local branches to reach agreements to call off the national strikes planned for 25-29 September. In light of this we have arranged to meet UCU locally at 2pm today to resume negotiations with the aim of reaching an agreement that would end the local and national strike days at Aberdeen.
I will write with a further update as soon as possible.
Best wishes
Karl
Karl Leydecker
Senior Vice Principal