South Downs College staff balloted for strike action in row over new contracts

The ballot opens today and closes on Monday 13 June.

The college has threatened to dismiss staff who refuse to sign up to new contracts, which would see cuts to staff pay, as well as reductions to annual leave and redundancy notice periods. UCU has branded the plans 'deeply damaging', saying they would lead to a pay cut of around 3% for many lecturers.

The union also warned that the proposed cuts to pay and conditions would threaten the college's reputation, as it would be harder to attract the best teachers and lecturers to work there in the future.

UCU regional official, Moray McAuley, said: 'These are deeply damaging proposals, and staff are understandably angry at plans to dismiss staff who refuse to sign away a significant chunk of their salary and annual leave entitlement. Staff are dismayed at the actions of a senior leadership team, including a principal earning more than the prime minister, cutting their pay at the same time as leaving their own salaries intact.