National support for Harlow College branch

This followed petitioning in the town centre which continues to gather support for the college lecturers. Bill Rammell MP was lobbied at his office and he came out to speak to the delegation, informing them that in his capacity as local constituency MP he was urging the college management to engage in negotiations with UCU national officials.

At the rally, in a well received speech, UCU national head of further education, Barry Lovejoy, pledged full national support from UCU. He said local further education in Harlow is at risk from the draconian proposals which the college is trying to force through. These would only damage the quality of local FE provision and demoralise staff. He added: 'We want a negotiated resolution of this  dispute and call on the college to enter into immediate talks with the national union.  But if the college refuses let me be clear Harlow members will receive our full support for strike action planned for this Thursday and Friday.'