Staff to strike at Hull College

The college management had offered staff a 0.7% pay rise last September, and also pledged to make positive changes to the lesson observation process which had been heavily criticised by teachers at the college.

The college reneged on its promise to make a pay award and staff have complained that changes to the lesson observation system are leaving them more stressed and anxious than ever. The union says that college management has not listened to staff concerns and there has been no attempt to make improvements to the observation system within the academic year. 

UCU regional official, Julie Kelley, said: 'Strike action is always a last resort for staff and it is the first time ever that UCU members at Hull College have announced industrial action over a local issue. After the false hope and empty promises from management, our members feel they have been let down and now have no choice but to take action.

'We again call on the college to honour the 0.7% pay increase previously offered, immediately suspend the punitive lesson observation system, and get round the table to agree positive changes that support teaching and learning rather than threatening lecturing staff.'

Over four-fifths of UCU members that took part in the ballot voted in favour of strike action and 95.3% in favour of action short of strike. 

Staff will be on picket lines outside the college entrances from 7.30am on Tuesday, and at 9.00am picketers and supporters will gather for a rally next to the Wilberforce Column in front of the college.