Indefinite strike action goes ahead at Tower Hamlets College

Despite attempts from the UCU to negotiate with the college, the union said today that its members at Tower Hamlets have been left with no alternative but to walk out indefinitely.

The strike action has been targeted to coincide with the first day of enrolment at the college. The union said today that it is continuing to press for fresh talks with the college and reiterated that strike action was a desperate last resort. Funding cuts mean that around 1,000 places on courses for English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) are at risk. Thirteen people face losing their jobs and many thousands of people in Tower Hamlets will lose the opportunity to learn English – denying them the opportunity to fully integrate with the community.

Pickets will be held from 7.30am tomorrow at the college's three sites (see notes for directions). UCU said the planned cuts fly in the face of new government initiatives which call on local authorities to prioritise ESOL and fund courses for vulnerable and hard to reach groups.

Alison Lord, UCU branch chair at Tower Hamlets College Poplar site, said: "It is a shame that things have come to this. We had no desire to take strike action but what the college is planning is totally unacceptable. We have 800 students on waiting lists so to cut English classes like this will hit some of the most vulnerable people in London. The college hasn't consulted either college staff or the community properly."

UCU head of further education Barry Lovejoy said: 'UCU has tried everything it possibly can to reach a negotiated settlement and avoid industrial action. Despite our best efforts, last ditch talks have failed and our members at Tower Hamlets have been left with no option but to take this action. We will continue to press for further talks, because we want to get this situation resolved as soon as possible. However, we need to stand up for education and to stand up for the most vulnerable people in the area.'

Directions to:

• Poplar Site
• Bethnal Green Site
• Arbour Square Site