UCU strikers at the University of Nottingham, 27 February 2018, photo Gary Freeman

UCU strikers at the University of Nottingham, 27 February 2018, photo Gary Freeman   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Over 100 people gathered on 20 June as University and College Union members at Nottingham College prepared for strike action on the 1 July with more days planned at the start of the academic year.

96% of members voted for industrial action as management gave an ultimatum to accept a new contract or risk losing their jobs by 5 July.

Managers at the college have stated that individuals who do not agree to new terms could face dismissal but would then be offered ‘re-employment’ if they subsequently accept the new contract.

The contract would mean more than 80 teachers would be £1,000 worse off in addition to increased teaching hours, removal of workload protections, and cuts in holiday and sick pay.

These attacks would affect workers throughout the college from teaching staff, to librarians to cleaners.

Staff were joined in solidarity by university workers and students at the college. There is a strong desire to coordinate industrial action across unions, linking these regionally and nationally.

Nathan Sharpe, Nottingham Socialist Party