Edinburgh Napier staff facing the threat of redundancies

Edinburgh Napier University staff are facing an uncertain future, as bosses plan to axe up to 70 roles.

Edinburgh Napier bosses are proposing cuts to both academic and professional services jobs, and have targeted specific departments and individual roles for the cuts.

The move comes amid a sector-wide funding crisis. Thousands of academic and professional service jobs have already been lost across the UK, many by “non-contract renewals” and other dismissals without redundancy protections.

The Educational Institute of Scotland – University Lecturers’ Association (EIS-ULA), the recognised trade union for academic staff at Edinburgh Napier, reports that membership of the branch is growing every day, reflecting widespread concern and anger over the proposals.

Based across its three main campuses at Merchiston, Craighlockhart and Sighthill, Edinburgh Napier has over 20,000 students and celebrates being the #1 modern university in Scotland (as ranked by the Times Higher Education, World University Rankings). 

However, in a recent email to staff, the newly appointed Principal and Vice Chancellor, Professor Sue Rigby, has warned that “our current cost base continues to outstrip our income” and “moving from a position of deficit to one of surplus … is essential for growth.”

Dr Nick Cimini, a member of lecturing staff and branch secretary of the local EIS branch, told our reporter that “These job cuts are totally unnecessary and unfair. Edinburgh Napier remains financially sound, with healthy reserves and no debt. We are in a good position to weather the storm. 

“The crisis in higher education was caused by mismanagement, poor governance and insufficient government funding. Staff and students shouldn’t be forced to suffer.”

Dr Holly Patrick-Thomson, a member of lecturing staff and the EIS-ULA National President, said, “The government needs to step in here. It needs to make sure these unnecessary cuts won’t affect students’ education. If it values our university sector, it needs to safeguard staff.”

The EIS are set to ballot their members for strike action. If their members back action, they will move to strike in defence of jobs.