College staff to vote on strikes over job losses

Teachers at a Shropshire college will be balloted this week on possible strike action after plans were announced to axe about 20 per cent of teaching staff.

Union bosses have also sent an open letter to stakeholders of New College in Wellington, Telford, condemning the plans.

Campaigners say the cuts, which equate to 10 jobs, are completely unjustified and could be avoided with better planning of future budgets.

A protest outside the college last Thursday attracted about 80 people to the King Street campus.

Julian Dean, a teacher in the performing arts at the college, said: "At the beginning of April the Principal of New College announced a plan to cut up to 10 jobs.

"He also decided to target these job cuts at just three areas of the college, adult education, learning support and performing arts and music.

"The principal has repeatedly told both staff and the college corporation that, despite government cuts in funding, the college is in a sound financial position.

"This means that any reduction in spending could be planned, over a reasonable time scale and done after a meaningful review of the college's activities."

Mr Dean also believes the consultation on the job losses has not been completed over a reasonable time scale.

He added: "The principal wanted a decision on voluntary redundancies by the end of April, despite holidays, bank holidays, and the royal wedding. He then wants to identify any resulting compulsory redundancies by the end of May.

"There had been no review of the colleges' activities in preparation for this."

College bosses have told campaigners the job losses are a result of cuts in government spending.