Northumberland College sets out job loss plans

The University and College Union (UCU) said it would not accept mass redundancies or extra hours and pay cuts. The union warned that industrial action now looked increasingly likely in its battle to save jobs and standards at the college.
 
The staff who survive the cull will see their teaching hours increase from 825 to 900, with a huge rise in preparation time and marking as well. There will also be reduction in how much staff can earn with the top grade for main grade lecturers dropping to £27,000.
 
The union has described the college's plans as a real smack in the face for education in the region. Northumberland College is the only general further education college in the county and provides education to students from Berwick to Hexham, including at the Kirkley Hall Agricultural College in Ponteland.
 
On Thursday 18 March staff and students from the college held a protest outside the main gates. Members of UCU at the college are being balloted for industrial action. The ballot closes on Thursday 1 April and the result is expected the same day. UCU said it owed it to students and the local community to defend the college and its ability to deliver high quality education.
 
Iain Owens, UCU regional official, said: 'UCU members at Northumberland College are understandably furious at plans to sack them and reinstate some of them on worse pay and conditions. The college has shown absolute contempt for its staff, its students and the local community. This is a real smack in the face for education in the region.
 
'There has been no consultation with the union on these plans, which is simply outrageous. We will be fighting this decision all the way as we have not given up on the college's students or its reputation yet.'