Strike action not ruled out in row over job losses at K College

One hundred twenty-seven people, around one in six of the total staff at the three sites, are at risk of losing their job under college plans to try and save £2.4m in staff costs.

The union said delays in addressing the financial problems earlier were the reasons that so much redundancies are now threatened. UCU said a botched competitive tendering process during 2013, combined with delays by the Hadlow College Group to finalise its position once it won the bid, had swelled the number proposed job cuts.

The union has called on K College senior management to rule out any compulsory redundancies and to extend the formal consultation process with UCU until staff are back in the autumn term. UCU warned that its members had not ruled out industrial action if the college refuses to consult properly or forces through compulsory job losses.

UCU regional official, Michael Moran, said: "We are extremely concerned about the pace and scale of the job losses at K College. Unlike the previous redundancies, these 127 jobs are expected to come in just one round of redundancies and affect just three sites - Ashford, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells.

"We have big issues with the way the process has been managed. We have scores of potential job losses to deal with and are currently discussing all options available to us with members on how to handle the situation. We cannot rule out strike action and hope the college will extend the consultation process so all staff can play a meaningful role in it."