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College jobs axe ‘unacceptable’ - unions
JOBS UNDER THREAT ... at South Tyneside College.
FURIOUS union officials have told college bosses that their failure to guarantee no compulsory redundancies is “unacceptable”.
The University and College Union (UCU) and Unison leaders met with South Tyneside College management yesterday to discuss the latest round of redundancies and restructuring.
As the Gazette revealed last Thursday, the equivalent to 62.5 full-time posts are to go at St George’s Avenue, South Shields, and Mill Lane, Hebburn, following hefty cuts to the college’s funding.
UCU officials say nearly 50 lecturing staff could lose their jobs, and a further 40 face pay cuts of up to £11,000.
They have now formally declared a trade dispute with the college, which is the first step towards strike action.
The dispute comes after college management would not commit to the fact that no member of staff would be made compulsory redundant or that no member of staff would be compulsorily downgraded. But college bosses say they have had no choice but to make the cuts.
UCU regional support official Jon Bryan said: “While we do not have all the detail on the process, it has been made clear to us that more than 46 lecturing staff – about 20 per cent of the college’s teaching staff – are to be made redundant, and more than 40 of those who remain could be faced with having to take a pay cut of up to a third.
“This is unacceptable, and we have made that clear. The Easter break for staff should be a time when they are focused on the future of the students in the run-up to exams.
“Unfortunately, many lecturers and other staff will have their thoughts on their own future. Will they have a job? Will they have their pay slashed?
“UCU members reserve the right to take strike action to defend their jobs and pay, but we do hope that this can be avoided. No one wants to take action, but the issues at stake are very high.
“We will meet with college managers again after Easter, and we will also be consulting our members.”
Unison members have also been dealt a blow, as they were told they may also face potential downgrading, although it is understood it will only be a small number.
Members met on Monday and asked their representatives to seek more information about the reorganisation.
Support staff have been told 15 jobs will go – eight in clerical, administration and support, and seven in the technical side.
Merv Butler, South Tyneside branch secretary for Unison, said: “We are investigating the potential downgrading and revised job descriptions and we are in consultation of how the revised proposals will affect our members.
“We are meeting again with college management on May 4. This is affecting staff right across the college, and the big message from our members is they want to know one way or another where they stand.
“It is traumatic for everyone involved. This is the third round of redundancies we have been through in 18 months at the college, and it is very hard for everyone involved.”
College principal Lindsey Whiterod said: “We are disappointed we could not reach an agreement with UCU, but due to the funding cuts we are unable to commit to making no compulsory redundancies.
“We will continue to work with the unions to continually review and evaluate plans so that we can try to identify options to lessen the impact on staff across the College and ensure that the quality of learning for our students continues to remain of a high standard.
“The severe cuts in education by Government have forced the majority of Colleges across the North East into similar situations. This is an incredibly difficult time for all educational establishments and we are committed to working together with our staff and unions to ensure that all options are explored.”
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Weather for South Shields
Thursday 24 May 2012
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