Confusion at Chesterfield College as strikes continue

Members of UCU and the NASUWT trade unions are on strike today The college announced plans to make 70 staff redundant, despite losing over 100 staff in the last two years, which led to the strike action. It cited financial problems as the reason for the job losses. However, at a meeting of the Local Schools Learning Partnership on Wednesday, Chesterfield College Trevor Clay suggested the college was seeking a site in the town to deliver courses for 14-19 year olds.

Members of UCU and the NASUWT trade unions are on strike today and another strike is planned for Thursday. An emergency governors' meeting is taking place at the college today and UCU said the governors need to confirm exactly what is happening at the beleaguered college.

UCU regional official, Anne O'Sullivan, said: 'Staff and students at Chesterfield College have a right to know what is going on at their college. In meetings with us the college never mentioned any secret plans to buy new buildings to run courses for 14-19 year olds. It stuck to the story that it needed to sack staff to save money.

'Another 70 staff at the college are threatened with the sack, despite over 100 leaving in the past two years, and now there are rumours the college wants to buy new buildings. The whole situation is a mess and urgently needs clearing up.'