Strike action looms at Northumberland College

Posted by The Journal on May 25, 09 10:21 AM in News

Northumberland College Strike action could be launched at Northumberland College amid claims up to 50 people could lose their jobs.

Unions have demanded bosses give a commitment to a new cost-cutting drive that will not result in compulsory redundancies.

Lecturers at the Ashington-based college are being balloted on taking industrial action in response to a management bid to save money by axing both teaching and support posts.

The University and College Union - whose ballot result is expected next week - says its 130 members could walk out on strike unless management rules out compulsory redundancies. Members of Unison, which represents support staff at the college, are currently deciding whether to carry out their own formal ballot on industrial action.

Managers are seeking voluntary redundancies by the end of June in a bid to make efficiency savings, which they say are required to give the college a viable, long-term future.

Unions say bosses want to axe 33.5 full-time equivalent posts from the college's 300-strong workforce. But, as many posts are part-time, they claim between 40 and 50 people could lose their jobs.

The strike threat is the latest blow for the troubled college, which is already facing Government-ordered efficiency savings and a threat to its ÃÂ£100m plans to build new campuses.

Yesterday John McCormack, branch chairman of the UCU and a member of the union's national executive, claimed the management had withheld the true extent of the financial problems facing the college over the past two years.

"I have explained our concerns about the way in which the college has been managed to the governors. I also asked them to withdraw the threat of compulsory redundancies but they have declined to do so. That is something we can't accept and why we are now balloting for industrial action.

"It appears that for a couple of years there have been serious financial deficits at the college, but we have been told there were no problems. The college is forecasting a ÃÂ£1.2m deficit and has to make major savings. Our big problem is that they have refused to rule out compulsory redundancies."

College spokesman Chris Jennings said the need to cut costs resulted from a combination of funding not taking account of Northumberland's rural nature, reductions in Learning and Skills Council funding, Government-ordered efficiency savings and doubts over the capital building projects.

In addition, changes made to the 2009/10 curriculum and courses as a result of a review meant the college had to ensure staffing matched the revised curriculum.

"For all of these reasons, the college management team took the decision to invite applicants for voluntary redundancy. We are working closely with the unions in a formal consultation process and hope to achieve a reduction in staffing through voluntary redundancies.

"Staffing changes and other cost saving measures are intended to ensure a long term viable future for the college."

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