Barnet College lecturers' protest over new pay and conditions

Staff at Barnet College have voted to 'work to rule' in protest against controversial new contracts. From Thursday 22 October UCU members will stop working unpaid overtime and stick only to their contract hours, after the college told lecturers to expect longer working hours in return for a derisory one-off payment.
 
Staff who refuse to accept the new contract will not be awarded the cost of living rise and the union today accused the college of trying to get teaching on the cheap. College staff have still not received a national 3.5 % pay rise from 2008-09.
 
Under the new contracts staff will see maximum weekly teaching hours increased, annual leave cut by two weeks and the redundancy notice period slashed from four to three months. In addition, there will be a wage cap on new lecturers and less guaranteed work for part-time lecturers.
 
UCU regional official, Una O'Brien, said: 'Our members regret having to withdraw their goodwill but these new terms and conditions are simply not acceptable. The college has failed to acknowledge the outstanding contribution of its lecturers.

'Workloads have grown every year but staff continue to perform their tasks with commitment and professionalism, despite the shoddy treatment they receive from the college in return. The college will not recruit or retain quality lecturers with these new contracts and, ultimately, students will be the ones to suffer most.'