Barnet College could face industrial action in row over working conditions

The unions have accused the college of trying to get teaching on the cheap after lecturers were told to expect longer working hours in return for a derisory one-off payment.
 
Under the new contracts staff will have their maximum weekly teaching hours increased, annual leave cut by two weeks and their redundancy notice period slashed from four to three months. In addition there will be a wage cap on new lecturers.
 
David Armstrong, Barnet College's UCU branch secretary and a lecturer at the college, said: 'Barnet College has failed to acknowledge the outstanding contribution of its lecturers. Our workload grows every year but we continue to perform our tasks with commitment and professionalism, despite the shoddy treatment we receive from the college in return. However, enough is enough and the college has traded on our goodwill for too long.'
 
Chris Odams, ATL secretary and lecturer at the college, added: 'Despite UCU's and ATL's constructive proposals, the college has made no attempt to take this opportunity to safeguard the interests of both staff and students at Barnet College. The college will not retain and recruit quality lecturers with the new contracts.'