Strike threat over 'college cuts' at Bradford College

Members of UCU at Bradford College have today voted in favour of both strike action and action short of a strike in their fights to save jobs. Over 81% of UCU members who voted, voted for strike action and 90% voted for action short of a strike.

The union said that today's result was indicative of the strength of feeling among UCU members across the country over savage funding cuts and damaging job losses. Bradford College is looking to make 18 teaching staff redundant and axe courses in counselling, metallurgy and music technology, as well as reducing provision in basic literacy. Read more: https://www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=4571

and at the BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bradford/8655935.stm

Bradford UCU have their own blog if you want to follow what's happening at the college:
http://bradfordcollegeucu.wordpress.com/

UCU’s Day of Action in Defence of Jobs and Education

Wednesday 5 May saw strikes hit 11 FE colleges in London and three universities in the UK. Picket lines were solid at the 11 FE colleges, at Westminster, Sussex and King’s College London and many branches reported their best attendance for years as members took action in defence of jobs and education.

The strikes were accompanied and supported by a wave of protests that covered the length and breadth of the country. Central London saw a march and rally starting from King’s College and finishing at Church House, Westminster, where there was a rally that packed the meeting room. 100 lecturers also protested outside Croydon college, which has just announced its plans to cut around 80 jobs. In Brighton, UCU members from universities and colleges in the region, including strikers from Sussex University, marched to the Old Ship and held a rally. There were also protests and rallies at Bradford College, which has just voted to take strike action, at Doncaster College, at Bishop Auckland, Redcar and Cleveland, South Tyneside and Middlesbrough colleges.

You can a read a full roundup of the action at: http://www.ucu.org.uk/5may10

Save Philosophy at Middlesex University – SIGN THE PETITION NOW

More than 14,000 people have now signed an online petition to save the Philosophy Department at Middlesex University. Members will probably be aware that last week, the Vice Chancellor’s executive group announced that it was closing the university’s philosophy department in spite of its excellent RAE scores and its international reputation for research and teaching, calling into question the future of humanities departments across the sector.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: A petition to save the department has already got 12000 signatures. You can add your name and support the campaign here: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/save-middlesex-philosophy.html