A university spokesperson said they were “disappointed” the unions had voted to strike.
They said the measures the unions had suggested as alternatives to compulsory redundancies had largely already been taken and that was why the number of job cuts had been reduced.
“While voluntary measures remain our preferred approach, we cannot rule out compulsory redundancies if the required savings are not achieved,” they said.
Unison branch secretary Davena Rankin said compulsory redundancies were not the answer.
“Staff want to support students and help the university succeed, but they need confidence that their jobs are secure,” Rankin said.
UCU branch president Karen Lorimer said staff wanted to be welcoming new and returning students but the refusal to rule out using compulsory redundancies left them with no alternative but to strike.
Dr Nick McKerrell, a law lecturer and the branch secretary of the EIS, said there were issues across higher education but Caley was in a strong place financially and there was no need for compulsory redundancies.
