LECTURERS have overwhelming backed strike action as they fight plans to slash jobs at the University of Dundee.

The institution was plunged into crisis in November when its  principal — under fire for his first class travel to the Far East at the university’s expense — announced that it was facing a £30 million deficit before immediately resigning.

Much of the senior management team have since left, but those remaining have refused to rule out compulsory redundancies and have ignored calls from SNP higher education minister Graeme Dey to include workers or unions in any decisions.

This has prompted the University and College Union (UCU) Scotland to ballot for strike action. 

Slamming management, Scottish Green MSP for the North East Maggie Chapman said: “This crisis is a product of senior management’s bad decision-making and poor governance. 

“Lecturers, researchers, technicians, student support workers — all those who actually make the university work — should not be made to pay the price for the negligence and incompetence of management.”

The UCU welcomed the 64 per cent turnout and 74 per cent support for strike action.

UCU branch co-president Melissa D’Ascenzio said: “By voting in these numbers, UCU members at the University of Dundee have been crystal clear that the university needs to think again about cutting jobs and the use of compulsory redundancies.

“The ballot result is a mandate for industrial action and to oppose job cuts.

“We remain absolutely committed to the university and are ready to play our part in helping deliver a sustainable future. 

“Senior managers need to listen to their staff, unions and local politicians, including the minister, and engage openly and honestly about the best future for the university, its students and staff and the city.”

Calling the action “premature,” a University of Dundee spokesperson said they “want to work constructively with the unions on building a more sustainable future,” saying: “We will wait to hear from the union regarding their next steps.”