College staff facing sack over contract

Aug 19 2008 by Chris Robinson, The Journal

LECTURERS have been threatened with the sack if they fail to sign up to a new ‘inferior’ contract, it was revealed last night.

Bishop Auckland College issued the ultimatum to its employees as education staff, unaware of the threat to their jobs, were still enjoying their summer break.

Last night principal Joanna Tait said new contracts would only be issued if an agreement wasn’t reached.

But the University and College Union (UCU) accused the County Durham centre of using an aggressive tactic and have threatened possible strike action.

Lecturer Anne Bainbridge said staff were being penalised for doing a good job.

Mrs Bainbridge, who has taught IT at the college for a decade, added: “We feel like there’s a gun being held to our heads if we don’t negotiate.

“Members who I have spoken to are fully supportive of the union but a lot of people are extremely worried because of it. We have 87% of lecturers members of the union.

“We don’t even know what the terms and conditions are. They are obviously not going to be better or there wouldn’t be these problems. We want the staff to be aware of what’s going on.” The concern follows a similar dispute three years ago when Newcastle College lecturers were issued with dismissal notices for not signing a disputed new contract of terms and conditions.

Last night Joyce McAndrew, regional support officer with UCU, said members were appalled.

She said: “It seems to pre-empt the possibility of any agreement and we feel that it’s very threatening.

“They are clearly saying if you don’t agree, then we are going to change it anyway and it doesn’t really give you any hope.

“This really does feel like an aggressive tactic.

“We have been trying for the past couple of weeks to get the notice withdrawn so that we can start at the beginning and to try to negotiate.”

Gill Hale, regional organiser for Unison, said there should be some expectation of consultation.

She added: “This is something we are taking very serious, particularly if it’s going to be detrimental to our members.”

Regional UCU officials will meet with members to discuss action at the end of the month when they return to work.

Bishop Auckland principal Ms Tait added: “It is misleading for UCU to give the impression that a large-scale compulsory redundancy programme is being planned.

“This is absolutely not the case.

“Contracts would be terminated and new ones issued only if it was not possible to agree with employee representatives on variation to terms and conditions. I hope that we can all co- operate fully to ensure that this process is conducted in a positive and professional way.”