Staff to strike at Barnsley College
16 June 2011
Members of UCU at Barnsley College will take strike action tomorrow as part of their ongoing fight to save jobs. Staff will be on picket lines from 8.30am to 9.30am outside the Eastgate entrance to the college.
On Saturday (18 June), staff and students will return to the Eastgate entrance at 10.30am for a march through Barnsley city centre to Peel Square for a rally at 11.30am (see notes for directions). The march should set off at 11am.
UCU members are taking the action in protest against plans to make 30 lecturers redundant which, together with the current voluntary redundancies at the college, would result in 25% of the institution's teaching workforce leaving.
The union has accused the college of using the current funding difficulties in further education as an excuse to rush through disproportionate cuts. Under the proposals provision will be slashed across departments, including engineering, art and design, catering and hospitality and tourism.
The college has told the union it is facing a funding shortfall of 20% over the next four years. However, it is insisting on slashing budgets by 25% in just 12 months. UCU said the cuts would mean bad news for staff who survive the cull as they will be expected to work longer hours with larger class sizes.
UCU regional official, Julie Kelley, said: 'Members have been left with little choice but to take strike action. The college is steamrolling through disproportionate cuts that will prevent local people from getting access to training. The college's plans will result in longer working hours, larger class sizes and a seriously diminished educational experience for students.'
UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'UCU members at Barnsley have the national union's full support. The planned cuts are short-sighted and will end up doing lasting damage to the local community the college is there to serve.'
UCU members are taking the action in protest against plans to make 30 lecturers redundant which, together with the current voluntary redundancies at the college, would result in 25% of the institution's teaching workforce leaving.
The union has accused the college of using the current funding difficulties in further education as an excuse to rush through disproportionate cuts. Under the proposals provision will be slashed across departments, including engineering, art and design, catering and hospitality and tourism.
The college has told the union it is facing a funding shortfall of 20% over the next four years. However, it is insisting on slashing budgets by 25% in just 12 months. UCU said the cuts would mean bad news for staff who survive the cull as they will be expected to work longer hours with larger class sizes.
UCU regional official, Julie Kelley, said: 'Members have been left with little choice but to take strike action. The college is steamrolling through disproportionate cuts that will prevent local people from getting access to training. The college's plans will result in longer working hours, larger class sizes and a seriously diminished educational experience for students.'
UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'UCU members at Barnsley have the national union's full support. The planned cuts are short-sighted and will end up doing lasting damage to the local community the college is there to serve.'
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