Further one-day strike and petition handover at Bradford College

UCU members at Bradford were on picket lines this morning at outside the college's David Hockney building. Later today, they will hold a demonstration outside a meeting of the college corporation at the Old Building on Carlton Street from 4.30pm.

UCU members will also hand over a petition opposing job cuts, which has attracted around 1500 signatures signatures, to the college governors at 5.00pm.

Bradford College is currently consulting with the union on proposed savings, including possible redundancies. The union is calling on the college to rule out any compulsory redundancies and seek alternative solutions to deal with financial difficulties.

UCU regional official, Julie Kelley, said: 'Staff at Bradford College are not prepared to sit back and see courses and jobs cut. We know that budgets are tight across the sector, but the college should be looking at every possible alternative to cutting frontline education services.

'Strike action is always a last resort, but staff feel that they have no other option. The college needs to listen to their concerns and rule out compulsory redundancies if it wants to avoid further disruption to students.'