Edinburgh University Industrial Action Threatens James Tait Black Prize

Britain's longest-running literary prize is at risk of cancellation for the first time in its 107-year history as industrial action over staff wage cuts affects Edinburgh University. For more than 100 years, scholars and students at the university have awarded the James Tait Black Prize.

Established in 1919, the award has honoured writers including DH Lawrence, Evelyn Waugh and Zadie Smith. It carries a £10,000 prize for the winner. An ongoing dispute between university staff and management over budget reductions has raised questions about whether this year's ceremony will go ahead.

The start of the month saw the beginning of a marking and assessment boycott that disrupted university operations. One of the prize's chief judges has had her entire salary withheld by the university as a result of participating in the boycott. She told The Scotsman there will be no prize at present.

The judge described the action as a final attempt to prevent compulsory redundancies. The University and College Union estimates approximately 1,800 positions could be terminated under the budget cuts. Academics and postgraduate students had already submitted nominations, with winners originally scheduled to be revealed this month.

The fiction shortlist includes Vivek Shanbhag's Sakina's Kiss, Nell Stevens's The Original, Claire-Louise Bennett's Big Kiss, Bye-Bye, Jackie Ess's Darryl and Shady Lewis's On the Greenwich Line. The university stated it was working to ensure the awards proceed.

A spokesperson said the institution respects the right of staff to take part in industrial action and will work to minimise disruption and support the prizes to go ahead as intended. The university maintains the cuts are necessary. Officials have said costs are rising faster than income.

The £140 million savings target, to be achieved over 18 months, amounts to roughly 10 per cent of the university's yearly revenue. Staff have pledged to continue rolling strikes as negotiations remain at a standstill.