CRISIS-stricken University of Dundee has announced plans to axe 632 jobs, warning it was “very unlikely” that compulsory redundancies could be avoided.

The institution was plunged into chaos in November when principal Professor Iain Gillespie announced a £30 million deficit before immediately resigning along with the entire management team.

Since then, both Unison and the UCU balloted for strike action as management refused to rule out comulsory redundancies.

Now, as the UCU enters its third week of action, workers’ fears were proven as interim principal Professor Shane O’Neill announced that despite measures already taken cutting £17m in costs, axing 632 jobs would “make an essential contribution” to cost cutting.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “This is a hammer-blow to hardworking and committed workers at the university who are being made to pay the price for egregious management failure.  

“We are clear that there is an alternative to sacking staff and cutting courses, student support and vital educational provision in this city, and we’ll continue to do all we can to save jobs and to preserve education in Dundee.”

Socialist MSP Mercedes Villalba told the Star: “Professor Gillespie and his senior management team walked off into the sunset to comfortable retirements or new roles, leaving a trail of carnage, and now 632 people are expected to pay with their jobs.

“This outrageous decision will undermine the future of the university — it will hit workers, students and the whole of Dundee. It cannot be allowed to stand.

“There is no university without workers. The Scottish government must intervene, and do it now.”

SNP universities minister Graeme Dey said the announcement deeply concerning, and said any bids for additional funding “will be carefully considered.”