Staff to protest over threats to impose new contracts at Nottingham College

Staff at Nottingham College will stage a protest at lunchtime on Thursday as part of an ongoing row over the college's plans to impose new contracts on staff.

UCU members will be protesting outside the college on Maid Marian Way, as well as at the High Pavement, Adams and Clarendon and Basford Hall sites, from 12.00 noon to 1.00pm.

UCU has accused the college of holding staff to ransom after it announced plans to dismiss anyone refusing to sign up to new contracts. The proposals would leave over 80 staff more than £1,000 worse off, and comes despite staff not receiving a pay rise since 2010.

The new contracts would also see staff lose up to eight days' holiday, as well as cuts to sick pay and the removal of workload protections.

UCU members are currently balloting for strike action over the proposals. The ballot will close on Friday (7 June). The union has urged the college to rule out any dismissal of staff and address the concerns of staff over the contract changes.

UCU regional official Sue Davis said: 'Nottingham College is holding staff to ransom by threatening to dismiss anyone refusing to sign up to these new contracts. The college's success is down to the hard work and dedication of its staff, but their goodwill is being severely tested.

'Expecting staff who have gone nine years without a pay rise to accept a pay cut of over £1,000, as well as attacks on their working conditions, is a real kick in the teeth. We have been negotiating with the college in good faith but their refusal to address our members' concerns means we have been left with no option but to ballot for industrial action. '