LECTURERS at a North East college will stage a rolling programme of strike action next month as a row over jobs and pay escalates.
Members of the University and College Union (UCU) at Newcastle College have voted to take their dispute with managers a step further by holding a series of walk-outs.
Dates for the action, announced in response to the college’s news there will be 185 full-time job losses, will be announced at the start of June.
The members held a one-day strike in April and further action comes as lecturers fear those who do keep their jobs could see a significant drop in pay.
The college says despite confirming 185 job losses it has created 170 “new job opportunities”. However, this means many staff will have to apply for new posts.
The college has promised to protect salaries for the first 12 months, but lecturers claim they could be out of pocket by as much as £10,000- a-year in the long term.
UCU regional official, Iain Owens, said: “Strike action is always a last resort but the branch feel there is no other option after the disgraceful attitude shown by management towards staff. As well as attacking our members’ jobs and right to organise they are now cutting lecturers’ pay.
“There is no financial imperative for making these cuts. Newcastle College is in good financial health.”
Bev Robinson, principal of Newcastle College, said: “The college has had no option but to re-engineer its curriculum offer in light of £6.25m in Government funding cuts and changes in Government priorities. We will continue to communicate regularly with staff and explore all options available to us. These include redeployment, voluntary redundancy and consideration of job share or reduced hours.”
The college added UCU members only make up a small percentage of the overall number of lecturers and the previous strike action did not force it to close.
Meanwhile, the Association for Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) has begun a ballot for strike action over “fundamental changes” to pensions.
This is a significant step for the union, which hasn’t taken industrial action since 1979.
If given the go-ahead, it is likely ATL will hold strike action alongside the National Union of Teachers (NUT), which is already balloting its members.
Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of ATL, said: “Balloting our members to strike is a last resort, but the government has given us no choice.
“The Government has totally failed to produce any justification for the changes to pensions and has consistently failed to change any of its plans despite months of discussions at all levels.
“ATL is not a militant union, but even our members are furious.”
The ballot will run until June 14.
