Another jobs blow for Redcar
22 April 2010
Redcar and Cleveland College has announced that up to 50 jobs could go at the college. More than one in five jobs at the college are at risk and no department is safe from the spectre of redundancy. The first people through the door could be leaving as early as the end of May.
Members of UCU unanimously condemned the news at an emergency meeting yesterda. The college has blamed a £2 million reduction in funding for courses for the losses, but the union has not yet had a detailed breakdown of what courses are at risk.
Redcar and Cleveland College has so far failed to rule out making staff compulsory redundant and UCU says the speed of the first redundancies, coupled with the uncertainty over the next steps, leaves the college at risk of being in limbo during the crucial summer term.
The union says it is not fair on staff or students to be expected to operate under a cloud of insecurity, particularly as we move towards exam season. The union is calling for a guarantee of no compulsory job losses.
The latest round of cuts follows on from job losses last year and is a significant blow to a college that was last year graded by OFSTED as having made significant improvement and gained a grade 2 inspection report. The college moved into a new building less than two years ago and is in the process of building a new purpose built facility to deliver higher education degree courses.
Mick Lord, branch secretary of UCU at Redcar and Cleveland College, said: 'Staff are once again worried about their future at a time of year when they need to be concentrating on getting students through their exams. If these job losses go through, they will reduce our ability to respond to the needs of the local community at a time when they need the college more than ever.'
Jon Bryan, UCU Regional Support Official, said: 'Redcar has already had bad news this year with the loss of 1,600 jobs at Corus. These cuts are another devastating blow for the area. It is ironic that with the college having new facilities it is now looking to reduce the number of people needed to deliver quality education and training to the people of Redcar, at a time when they need it most.'
Redcar and Cleveland College has so far failed to rule out making staff compulsory redundant and UCU says the speed of the first redundancies, coupled with the uncertainty over the next steps, leaves the college at risk of being in limbo during the crucial summer term.
The union says it is not fair on staff or students to be expected to operate under a cloud of insecurity, particularly as we move towards exam season. The union is calling for a guarantee of no compulsory job losses.
The latest round of cuts follows on from job losses last year and is a significant blow to a college that was last year graded by OFSTED as having made significant improvement and gained a grade 2 inspection report. The college moved into a new building less than two years ago and is in the process of building a new purpose built facility to deliver higher education degree courses.
Mick Lord, branch secretary of UCU at Redcar and Cleveland College, said: 'Staff are once again worried about their future at a time of year when they need to be concentrating on getting students through their exams. If these job losses go through, they will reduce our ability to respond to the needs of the local community at a time when they need the college more than ever.'
Jon Bryan, UCU Regional Support Official, said: 'Redcar has already had bad news this year with the loss of 1,600 jobs at Corus. These cuts are another devastating blow for the area. It is ironic that with the college having new facilities it is now looking to reduce the number of people needed to deliver quality education and training to the people of Redcar, at a time when they need it most.'
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