Strike at Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College in row over job cuts

UCU members will be on picket lines outside the main entrances to the college's sites in Acton, Ealing, Hammersmith and Southall from 7:30am. In the recent strike action ballot, 83% of members who voted backed strike action.

The dispute centres on the college's refusal to rule out compulsory redundancies as it closes down its A-level teaching and makes cuts in the computing & IT, access, and business departments where 14 staff at risk still do not know what their fate will be. The union has urged the college to come back to the negotiating table and explore alternatives including redeployment opportunities for the affected staff.

While the strike ballot was running, the college warned UCU that if it did not cancel the ballot, it would reduce the redundancy deal for staff. Undeterred by the threats, the union still ran the ballot and members overwhelmingly backed strike action.

UCU branch secretary Matthew Cookson said: 'Instead of threatening staff, the college should rule out compulsory redundancies and work with us to explore other options, such as redeployment. We will stand together to defend our members who face losing their jobs, as well as standing up for the education our local community deserves.'