College staff could strike over job cuts

The University and College Union says cutting around 37 teaching posts, and reductions in pay and conditions in response to Government funding cuts are unnecessary when Grimsby Institute has nearly £20m in reserves.

The latest cutbacks come on the back of redundancies last year at the institute and its Scarborough campuses, which included shutting A-level courses at Grimsby, the union said. In the 2011-2012 financial year the college made a surplus of £3.7m and as of last July held reserves of £19.6m.

The strike ballot will close next Friday with the result due in the afternoon. UCU members at Scarborough are also expected to be balloted for strike action.

UCU regional official Julie Kelley said they were furious the college was using £4m Government funding cuts as an excuse: “In tough economic times Grimsby Institute should be doing everything possible to support and enhance the local economy by providing educational opportunities to the community.

“Strike action is always a last resort, but axing jobs, cutting pay and ignoring people’s rights will do nothing for the reputation of Grimsby Institute.”

The college said £7.3m of reserves were going to pay back a loan on the new University Centre in the town. A spokesman said: “It is important for us to continue operating to an outstanding level to maintain our financial stability. If we do not operate with a surplus it would be impossible for us to update essential IT equipment or carry on with renovation works in order to continually improve our campuses and services.”

On pay he added: “The Institute is not in isolation – this is happening in colleges up and down the country. We have proposed a number of new salary ranges which have minimised any detriment to staff salaries.”