Lecturers tell Harlow College: 'Negotiate don't spin'

Lecturers at the college are intending to start a three day strike from Monday 11 June, as part of a campaign to prevent job losses and the worsening of pay and conditions at the college. The recent two day strike action at the college was solidly supported by lecturers, bringing the college to a standstill, and winning student support including a rooftop demonstration.

Harlow lecturers won massive support at the UCU annual congress this week. Lecturers from around the UK were aghast to hear of fears of dismissal and the college's plans to increase workloads, to lengthen working hours and shorten holiday entitlement.

Barry Lovejoy, head of further education at UCU, said: 'UCU is concerned that the college's proposals would have a damaging effect on the quality of educational provision. If the plans are implemented, 52% of teaching will be delivered by staff on non-teaching contracts. If college principal Mr Hindmarsh shares our concerns about quality, why is he refusing to discuss this and engage in meaningful talks to end the dispute, as recommended by local MP Bill Rammell?

'Threatening people with the sack is not the way to manage change.'