Edinburgh University employees have told their employer that its principal said 350 workers have chosen to take voluntary excesses.
The institution announced earlier this year that the black hole would have to be cut by £ 140 million from its budget to plug down, which is likely to cut jobs.
Principal Professor Sir Peter Maithison announced on Thursday that the university’s voluntary dissection scheme was concluded and about 350 employees had opted for voluntary excesses.
He said that the breakdown will save an institution of about 18 million pounds in the year-on-year savings.
In response to the announcement, the University and College Union (UCU) said on Friday that it should stop the university from doing any excess of excesses.
The UCU is currently in dispute over the failure of the employer in fulfilling the disputed excesses with the University of Edinburgh, and this reaction is voting members on industrial action.
Sophia Woodman, president of the UCU Edinburgh Branch, said: “Campus unions in Edinburgh have been deeply disappointed that despite saving from voluntary dissection scheme, the university management is refusing to cut further jobs.
“Edinburgh is not in deficit, and there is no need to propose excessive cuts.
“UCU is currently binding members at Edinburgh University for industrial action at the University of Edinburgh, which is on the failure of the employer to meet compulsory excesses.
“We urge the management to return to talks to stop the strike action.”
UCU General Secretary Joe Graddy said: “It is very attractive when it is a significant savings for jobs at the university, when significant savings and when it is not a university in deficit.
“The University of Edinburgh is one of the oldest and most respected universities in Scotland, which has a unique reputation internationally.
“University leaders need to reconsider these cruel cuts and focus on workers’ jobs and the reputation of the university and their responsibility to protect the future.”
The University of Edinburgh has been approached for comment.
