All UCU Members - Call To Strike

UCU Strike - Tuesday 3rd December 2013 What you should do on the strike days.         Join the strike - don’t come into work, or work at home on the strike day.         Join UCU on the picket lines. There will be UCU picket lines at College sites from 7.30 am. Please contact one of the branch officers - Paula Alsop, Allister Mactaggart, James Eaden or Sam Parker . . Taking industrial action- know your rights! The strike action being taken by UCU is fully legal and complies with all of the stringent trade union laws that apply in the UK. As a union member taking legal action you are fully protected by the law. ·         If you are not currently a member of UCU, you can join the union now (up to and including the day of the strike) and you will still be legally covered for participating in the strike action. ·          You are under no obligation to inform your line manager (or anybody else for that matter) that you are (or are not) taking action. ·          You are also not under any obligation to make provision (set work etc) for student groups that will be affected by the action. Any decision to do so is yours alone. ·          Joining picket lines outside of your place of work to show your support for the action or is fully lawful. ·          You will not be discriminated against for supporting your union and taking part in strike action. ·          Part time and hourly paid workers have identical legal rights as full time workers. Discrimination against part-time staff who participate in lawful industrial action is unlawful.

Solidarity

Dear Brothers and sisters In solidarity with your strike at Chesterfield College I wish you all the best with your action.     Working class people are facing the brutality of Tory austerity either as rises in the cost of living, attacks on our pay, pensions and benefits, privatisation of education, health and care services, or jobs losses.     Your strike is part of the growing resistance.  Every action is important and gives confidence to us all to fight.  When bosses like those at the college committed to the market, attack hard won conditions and axe jobs threatening activists with victimisation you have to stand up and say 'NO'.  It also lets the students know that you are committed to education as a right for all, not as a privilege for a few, and helps them counter cuts to grants and resist fees.  Social Work students who come to placements with us would often not have had the chance to get to university to train, were it not for the foundation and social care courses you all provide for working class young people in our town.   Your fight is inspiring to those trade unionists locally who want to be part of a movement against austerity.  Good luck Fraternally Jane Hindle Adult Care Rep (PC) Derbyshire County Council Unison

UCU Chesterfield Branch Newsletter

 Support the UCU national strike action over pay Tuesday December 3^rd.

UCU members in FE colleges & universities across the UK will be taking strike action over pay on Tuesday December 3^rd. In FE 70.9% of members voting, voted for strike action. All UCU members working in FE & HE institutions are therefore called out on strike and instructed not to work on that day.

Pay: The Key Facts:

·      Real pay for lecturers in FE colleges continues to fall.

·      The gap between our pay and that of schoolteachers, is still widening.

·      Since 2009 FE lecturers pay has fallen by 15% in real terms.

·      If our pay had kept pace with inflation over the last ten years, the top of the lecturers pay scale would now be £37,630*.

(* Figures from Teachers Pension Agency)

The Race to The Bottom at Chesterfield College.

Here at Chesterfield the situation is even worse. Since management broke from nationally negotiated terms & conditions, they have imposed a zero % increase for the past two years.  The hourly rate of pay for lecturers on Zero Hours contracts has been cut.

At our last formal meeting with the college management UCU formally submitted a demand that we are put back on to nationally negotiated pay rates.

It is vital that UCU members at the college show solid support for the December 3^rd strike action. Firmly supported action will back up our demand to be put back on national pay scales. If we don’t support national action now, it will be a green light to the management to continue to give 0% pay increases year on year. It was only two years ago when they tried to stop progression up the pay scale here at the college and introduce a form of performance related pay. Only our members’ resolve put a halt to that threat.

The Fallout from Last Year’s Redundancies.

All of the warnings about last year’s redundancies given by UCU and the other unions have been shown to be true.                             

We said that the “Curriculum Purchase” exercise was inaccurate and over-estimated “overstaffing”. We were right.

We said that classes taught by those made redundant would end up being taught by Zero Hours hourly paid staff on bargain basement pay levels – we were right.

We said that getting rid of experienced staff would impact on quality. We were right. In one area the start of term had to be delayed for two weeks because there were no staff to teach the students.

Victimisation of UCU Officer

However we did not expect the shocking way in which college management has used the cover of the redundancy exercise to carry out the vindictive victimisation of one of UCU’s elected branch officers- Sam Parker. The detailed case outlining Sam’s victimisation is contained in a further UCU document that has been circulated to all of our members.

Details of Strike Action on December 3^rd.

UCU will mount picket lines at main College sites, please come along and support your colleagues.

We will produce material to hand out to students explaining our case for taking action.

The National Union of Students national executive has voted to support UCU’s  action on Dec. 3rd.

UCU is holding strike rallies in major cities, e.g. Sheffield & Nottingham. Further details will be forwarded.

The UCU branch is in a position to operate a limited strike hardship fund for UCU members in dire financial straits. Priority will be given to Hourly Paid or low fractional members who may lose a disproportional amount of pay due to the strike being held on Tuesday Dec 3^rd.

Not Yet a Member of UCU?

If you are not yet a UCU member you can sign up now.

Go to http://www.ucu.org.uk/join

Or contact one of the UCU branch officers- Paula Alsop, Sam Parker, James Eaden, Allister Mactaggart

Taking industrial action- know your rights!

The strike action being taken by UCU on Tuesday December 3^rd is fully legal and complies with all of the stringent trade union laws that apply in the UK. As a union member taking legal action you are fully protected by the law.

·       You are under no obligation to inform your line manager (or anybody else for that matter) that you are (or are not) taking action.

·       You are also not under any obligation to make provision (set work etc) for student groups that will be affected by the action. Any decision to do so is yours alone.

·       Joining picket lines outside of your place of work to show your support for the action is fully lawful.

·       You will not be discriminated against for supporting your union and taking part in strike action.

Vote Yes to strike action.

Yesterday , the same day that our HE colleagues are taking strike action, UCU will begin balloting members in FE in England for strike action. Ballot papers will be arriving from Monday 4th November. http://www.ucu.org.uk/media/pdf/6/m/FE_VoteYes_flyer.pdf http://www.ucu.org.uk/media/pdf/6/a/FE_VoteYes_poster.pdf UCU members in FE have seen their pay fall 15% in four years while workloads and stress levels continue to rise. Instead of addressing the unions’ claim for a modest rise to begin to reverse this fall in salaries, the employers have offered another pay cut with the condition of more local bargaining. This would usher in a new attack on working conditions for our members in FE. A strong vote for strike action is now the best way to stop this race to the bottom in FE. Vote Yes to strike action.

Successful lobbying of Corporation Board at Chesterfield College by UCU Branch Officers.

Letters from UCU members and students outlined the personal impact of these brutal compulsory redundancies, which were announced last week.

Another 1,000 signatures from UCU petition protesting at the redundancies at the college, were also handed to the Clerk of the Corporation.

Corporation Board members were approached and the issues explained to them in more detail prior to them entering the college and attending the Board meeting this evening .

Solidarity to sacked UCU staff

UCU & NASUWT members attended a rally today to show their solidarity to colleagues who have been sacked or had hours reduced.

UCU officers spoke of their opposition to the jobs cull at the college and highlighted the impact on the staff and the wider community of Chesterfield.

Members watched a balloon release outside the brand new entrance to the college, the balloons symbolizing members of staff to lose their jobs.

 UCU will continue the campaign to Defend Jobs and Defend Education at Chesterfield College.

.

UCU Update

UCU  intend to hold a rally outside the main entrance on Infirmary Road tomorrow - Monday at 1.00 P.M . We will support all UCU members who are facing the devastating loss of their job and protest at the disgraceful process that was implemented by Chesterfield College Management . 

We will release a balloon for every UCU member facing the sack at Chesterfield College. 

I am asking that all UCU Members who have been notified that they will be  sacked. lost hours  or have been in a redundancy pool , write a letter to one of the Board of the Corporation.

I would suggest that you outline the personal effect that these cuts will have on you and your family and the effects of competing against your colleagues for jobs. UCU will lobby the Corporation Board with these letters when they meet on Thursday .

Fury as Chesterfield College secret building plans revealed on day staff are sacked

Fury as Chesterfield College secret building plans revealed on day staff are sacked

·         Staff will meet local MP tonight and protest at the college on Monday

·         College did not reveal plans for building refurbishment during meetings over redundancies

Chesterfield College is under fire today (Friday) for sending out redundancy notices to staff on the day it has been revealed that the college is investing huge sums of money in refurbishing its buildings.

Staff are angry that they only found about the scale of the building plans through the press. Members of the University and College Union (UCU) are meeting with local MP Toby Perkins this evening and have announced plans for a rally at the college on Monday (1 July) at 1pm outside the main entrance to the college on Infirmary Road (map here - http://tinyurl.com/plm8ykf).

Thirteen lecturers are due to receive letters today, the last day of term, telling them they have been made redundant. Five have had their hours reduced by as much as half and nine staff have left through voluntary redundancy.

UCU regional official, Anne O’Sullivan, said: “Staff and students at Chesterfield College have been treated with utter contempt by the college. In meetings with us the college never mentioned plans to refurbish buildings on this scale. They told us they needed to sack staff to save money.

“Sending out letters telling staff they have been sacked on the last day of term is pretty low and to coincide with the building plans we only found about in the media is very distasteful. We are meeting with the local MP this evening to explain exactly what has been going on at the college and staff will be protesting on Monday.”

UCU Member Update

UCU Campaign  to Defend Jobs & Defend Education @ Chesterfield College: Dear Colleagues , I have just spoken to Stephen Butler from HR and he has confirmed that staff within the redundancy pools will not be notified of the outcome until tomorrow : He has said that HR staff will attempt to complete  the majority of notifications in the morning . Letters to the Board Of Corporation  - I am asking that all UCU Members at risk of being sacked to write a letter to one of the Board of the Corporation. I would suggest that you outline the personal effect that these cuts will have on you and your family. Please follow link below to choose most appropriate board member for your letter . http://www.chesterfield.ac.uk/corporation-members-1 Could you please forward these to me as soon as possible , by the latest Monday morning . I am aware that for many of you this week is a very difficult time   , as you will receive notifications of redundancy or a change to your role. We intend to hold a rally outside the main entrance on Monday (Staff Development Day ) at 1.00 P.M where we will present these letters to Trevor Clay to pass onto the Corporation. We will also release a balloon for every UCU member facing the sack at Chesterfield College.  As was discussed at the Branch Meeting this is just the beginning of the process and I urge you not to be too despondent. Should you wish to contact a branch officer for advice:  Please contact – James Eaden, Allister Mactaggart, Paula Alsop, and Sam Parker. UCU will continue to negotiate with college management at CIG. And we continue to urge our principal Trevor Clay and the Board of Corporation at Chesterfield College to rethink this damaging strategy.    In Solidarity

CIG Update - UCU

UCU Campaign to Defend Jobs & Defend Education @ Chesterfield College: Dear Colleagues, Following yesterday’s CIG attended by Stephen Butler  and the recognized unions from Chesterfield College. The management representatives unfortunately were intransigent in their position and proved at times to be ill tempered in their responses. This fact was formally requested to be noted on the minutes by UCU & NASUWT. UCU & NASWUT formally asked again for the threat of compulsory redundancies to be withdrawn. It is unfortunate that the principal Trevor Clay or indeed any other member of the senior management team were able to be present at this vital CIG meeting; the final meeting before many staff, who have served the College and Community with years of loyalty and dedication will receive their notification of redundancy. If you do receive your notification of redundancy this week, can you please contact – James Eaden, Allister Mactaggart, Paula Alsop or Sam Parker as soon as possible. In Solidarity

UCU Branch Update

UCU Ballot to Defend Jobs & Defend Education @ Chesterfield College: UCU branch held a branch meeting yesterday to discuss the next steps in our campaign to stop the sackings at Chesterfield College. ·         Public Rally in Sheffield –   A UCU branch officer will address a protest rally tomorrow evening regarding our campaign to stop the sackings at Chesterfield College. This event is organised by Sheffield NUT in support of the regional NUT/NASUWT strike in the North-West. This is the first step in a national campaign of industrial action. The rally will be at the DFE offices which are situated on the Peace Gardens close by the Town Hall ·         Meeting with Toby Perkins – MP Chesterfield Venue – Chesterfield Labour Club   Date – Friday 28th June 2013:  Time – 5.45 p.m. Toby Perkins, as some of you may be aware, visited the college on Friday for the ‘Private View’ exhibition in Art & Design.  He was interested to know the impact of these proposed cuts from the individuals themselves at risk and the impact that this would have on the young people in his constituency. It is vital that all members take this opportunity to attend this meeting to get support from our elected member of parliament. ·         Letters to the Board Of Corporation  - I am asking that all UCU Members at risk of being sacked or in a redundancy pool , write a letter to one of the Board of the Corporation. I would suggest that you outline the personal effect that these cuts will have on you and your family. We intend to hold a rally outside the main entrance on Monday at 1.00 P.M where we will present these letters to Trevor Clay to pass onto the Corporation. We will also release a balloon for every UCU member facing the sack at Chesterfield College.  I am aware that for many of you this week is a very difficult time   , as you will receive notifications of redundancy or a change to your role. As was discussed at the Branch Meeting this is just the beginning of the process and I urge you not to be too despondent. Should you wish to contact a branch officer for advice:  Please contact – James Eaden, Allister Mactaggart, Paula Alsop, and Sam Parker. UCU will continue to negotiate with college management at CIG. And we continue to urge our principal Trevor Clay and the Board of Corporation at Chesterfield College to rethink this damaging strategy.

UCU members at Chesterfield College took our third day of strike action today (Thursday June 20th) in our fight against compulsory redundancies at the college. Despite awful weather there was once again a solid turnout on the picket lines from both UCU and NASUWT members.  

We highlighted our opposition to the jobs massacre at the college by holding a "funeral march" complete with coffin, mourners in black and the grim reaper. Strikers had brought along pots and pans and the normally quite Infirmary Road rang out to incessant beat of protest.

UCU members will be meeting on Tuesday for a Branch Meeting to map out the next stages in our campaign to Defend Jobs and Defend Education at Chesterfield College.

All UCU members called out on Strike - Thursday 20th June

UCU Chesterfield Branch - Defending Jobs – Defending Education @ Chesterfield College. All UCU members called out on Strike -  Thursday 20th June All UCU members are being called out on strike on   Thursday  20th June  following a 93% YES vote in the recent strike ballot and a unanimous vote for action at the UCU branch meeting on Tuesday 11th June. Our simple demand is that the college management withdraw the threat of compulsory redundancies which currently hang over lecturing staff. A clear commitment from the college to this effect would enable us to put an immediate halt to the planned strike action. We are also very pleased to report that we as UCU members will be joined by members of the NASUWT at the college who have also voted for strike action and our action on the two days will be co-ordinated with them What you should do on the strike days.         Join the strike - don’t come into work, or work at home on the strike day.         Join UCU on the picket lines. There will be UCU picket lines at College sites from 7.30 am. Please contact one of the branch officers - Paula Alsop, Allister Mactaggart, James Eaden or Sam Parker to volunteer. . Taking industrial action- know your rights! The strike action being taken by UCU is fully legal and complies with all of the stringent trade union laws that apply in the UK. As a union member taking legal action you are fully protected by the law. ·         If you are not currently a member of UCU, you can join the union now (up to and including the day of the strike) and you will still be legally covered for participating in the strike action. ·          You are under no obligation to inform your line manager (or anybody else for that matter) that you are (or are not) taking action. ·          You are also not under any obligation to make provision (set work etc) for student groups that will be affected by the action. Any decision to do so is yours alone. ·          Joining picket lines outside of your place of work to show your support for the action or is fully lawful. ·          You will not be discriminated against for supporting your union and taking part in strike action. ·          Part time and hourly paid workers have identical legal rights as full time workers. Discrimination against part-time staff who participate in lawful industrial action is unlawful.

UCU - UPDATE

Defend Jobs Defend Education@ Chesterfield College UCU Newsletter

Congratulations to UCU members and our colleagues from the NASUWT who took resolute strike action yesterday. Once again we had a very good turn out on our picket lines with great support from students.

UCU and the NASUWT are due to take a further day's strike action tomorrow (Thursday) and UCU members are instructed to strike.

As with Tuesday's action, UCU members who have redundancy selection interviews on Thursday have dispensation to attend college for their interview only.

You will have seen the email from the principal entitled  Strategic Options Review of 14-19 provision. The contents and timing of the announcement raise a number of serious questions for staff at the college.

1. Why, when the college are planning to make teaching staff compulsorily redundant, are they planning yet another development which will require the purchase of property to house the provision ? 

UCU have consistently argued that the college have prioritised expanding and developing their property portfolio above the jobs of lecturers and other staff. This appears to be yet another example of this.

2. Why, if as Trevor Clay states, the new development will provide opportunities for delivering a range of education and training, are they still going ahead with plans to make the very people who could deliver that 

education and training redundant?

3. Why has this been kept a secret from staff? Last Wednesday, the day after this news had been initially revealed to a meeting of the  Local Schools Learning Partnership in Chesterfield, the principal had a Q& A session at which he gave a very full outline of the college's financial plans but failed to make any mention of this new development? Trevor Clay was keen at the meeting to "bust myths" about the college's plans, but was clearly less keen to tell staff about this "exciting opportunities".

4. Why, when UCU contacted the college on Monday to confirm the stories circulating around Chesterfield about the college's plans to build an academy, were we told that these were not true?

5. Why did the college only finally admit to these plans late yesterday afternoon (Tuesday) after UCU had released a press statement ( see below) noting our concerns.

We were promised openness and transparency from the college. What we have got instead is an attempt to keep this news undercover until the college has pushed through its redundancy plans. The news that we now have gives added strength to the unions' arguments about the compulsory redundancies at the college.

Representatives of the UCU and the NASUWT will be meeting with the college again this afternoon and we will raise in the strongest terms our concerns and press the college to withdraw the threat of compulsory redundancies.

Strength In Unity

The NUT group at Longley Park Sixth Form College sends fraternal greetings to all those fighting at Chesterfield College for a decent educational future. We have had to face down the threat of compulsory redundancies this year – fellow victims of Gove-ment cuts. All the best for this week’s action. Duncan Blackie NUT rep Longley Park Sixth Form College, Sheffield

Strength In Unity

Colleagues The UCU Hull College Branch extends our support and solidarity to UCU Chesterfield College Branch in your resolute stand and action against compulsory redundancies. Hull College Branch

Strength In Unity

UCU members, please pass on full support from South Yorks NUJ members at Sheffield Newspapers, Rotherham Advertiser and BBC for your magnificent stand. We will be sending a donation and organising workplace collections. Yours in solidarity, Phil Turner, vice-chair.

Support Messages

Dear Colleagues, We wish you all the best in your fight to stop 70 redundancies at the College. We are only too aware that education is under attack and  we have today found out that UCU members at Oxford and Cherwell Valley College in Oxford also face redundancies and changes to terms and conditions. This means that a victory for you is a victory for all of us. United can win. Peter Dwyer, Branch Treasury, For and on behalf of Ruskin College UCU.

All UCU members called out on Strike - Tuesday 18th and Thursday 20th June

UCU Chesterfield Branch - Defending Jobs – Defending Education @ Chesterfield College. All UCU members called out on Strike - Tuesday 18th and Thursday 20th June All UCU members are being called out on strike on Tuesday 18th and  Thursday  20th June  following a 93% YES vote in the recent strike ballot and a unanimous vote for action at the UCU branch meeting on Tuesday 11th June. Our simple demand is that the college management withdraw the threat of compulsory redundancies which currently hang over lecturing staff. A clear commitment from the college to this effect would enable us to put an immediate halt to the planned strike action. We are also very pleased to report that we as UCU members will be joined by members of the NASUWT at the college who have also voted for strike action and our action on the two days will be co-ordinated with them What you should do on the strike days.         Join the strike - don’t come into work, or work at home on the strike day.         Join UCU on the picket lines. There will be UCU picket lines at College sites from 7.30 am. Please contact one of the branch officers - Paula Alsop, Allister Mactaggart, James Eaden or Sam Parker to volunteer. . Taking industrial action- know your rights! The strike action being taken by UCU is fully legal and complies with all of the stringent trade union laws that apply in the UK. As a union member taking legal action you are fully protected by the law. ·         If you are not currently a member of UCU, you can join the union now (up to and including the day of the strike) and you will still be legally covered for participating in the strike action. ·          You are under no obligation to inform your line manager (or anybody else for that matter) that you are (or are not) taking action. ·          You are also not under any obligation to make provision (set work etc) for student groups that will be affected by the action. Any decision to do so is yours alone. ·          Joining picket lines outside of your place of work to show your support for the action or is fully lawful. ·          You will not be discriminated against for supporting your union and taking part in strike action. ·          Part time and hourly paid workers have identical legal rights as full time workers. Discrimination against part-time staff who participate in lawful industrial action is unlawful.

Solidarity message

Good afternoon On behalf of the Branch Executive  I want to extend our solidarity with  Chesterfield  members in their  campaign against compulsory redundancies.   Let’s hope  their militant resolve  results in convincing management to withdraw the threat of redundancies. Ron  Mendel,  UCU  Branch Secretary at the University of Northampton

Present Trevor Clay - UCU Petition

Defend Jobs, Defend Education @ Chesterfield College: Dear Colleagues , More than 3000 signatures on UCU’s petition to stop compulsory redundancies @ Chesterfield College, and still growing…. Come along tomorrow (Friday) lunchtime from 12.30 onwards where we be gathering outside the new reception entrance on Infirmary Road. We will have gathered together all the copies of the petition, both print and online, and will be presenting them to the principal Trevor Clay. If you still have not signed you can still do this online by clicking on this link  UCU Petition

Solidarity message

Dear colleagues, Solidarity greetings from Sheffield NUT in your fight against redundancies. Our branch exec meets next Tuesday at 5pm. We would welcome a speaker  from your dispute and I would be happy to propose a donation towards your hardship fund. Ben Morris Joint Branch secretary, Sheffield NUT benmrr@aol.com

Chesterfield College UCU steps up campaign of industrial action

Chesterfield College UCU steps up campaign of industrial action against threatened compulsory redundancies at the college.   Following the highly successful initial one day strike on Thursday 6th June, UCU members at Chesterfield college voted unanimously for two further days action next week on Tuesday 18th and Thursday 20th June. UCU members will be joined by members of the NASUWT at the college who have also voted for strike action on those two days. This is the first time that unions at the college have taken joint action over a local dispute.   The extended strike action means that the UCU branch has started a hardship fund and we are appealing for immediate donations to help us sustain our campaign of action. Please rush messages of support to parkersl@chesterfield.ac.uk, and rush donations - cheques payable to Chesterfield College UCU – to  356a Ashgate Road , Chesterfield S40 4BW.     Over 3000 people have signed UCU’s petition either online, or in the print version. Many of the signatures come from former and present students, and the comments posted on the online petition are highly supportive of teaching staff and the stand we are taking to Defend Jobs and Defend Education at the College. Follow this link to access the online petition. UCU Petition

Chesterfield UCU steps up campaign of industrial action

Chesterfield College UCU steps up campaign of industrial action against threatened compulsory redundancies at the college.   Following the highly successful initial one day strike on Thursday 6th June, UCU members at Chesterfield college voted unanimously for two further days action next week on Tuesday 18th and Thursday 20th June. UCU members will be joined by members of the NASUWT at the college who have also voted for strike action on those two days. This is the first time that unions at the college have taken joint action over a local dispute.   The extended strike action means that the UCU branch has started a hardship fund and we are appealing for immediate donations to help us sustain our campaign of action. Please rush messages of support to parkersl@chesterfield.ac.uk, and rush donations - cheques payable to Chesterfield College UCU – to  356a Ashgate Road , Chesterfield S40 4BW.     Over 3000 people have signed UCU’s petition either online, or in the print version. Many of the signatures come from former and present students, and the comments posted on the online petition are highly supportive of teaching staff and the stand we are taking to Defend Jobs and Defend Education at the College. Follow this link to access the online petition. UCU Petition

Branch Meeting - 11th June 2013

Defend Jobs & Defend Education @ Chesterfield College:

Dear Colleagues ,

It is important that you attend Branch Meeting tomorrow to discuss and decide on UCU further action , following our very successful strike day last week  :

• Date -  Tuesday 11^th June 2013  

• Time – 4.00 P.M

• Venue - S106/S107

Taking industrial action- know your rights!

Taking industrial action- know your rights! The strike action being taken by UCU is fully legal and complies with all of the stringent trade union laws that apply in the UK. As a union member taking legal action you are fully protected by the law. ·         If you are not currently a member of UCU, you can join the union now (up to and including the day of the strike) and you will still be legally covered for participating in the strike action. ·          You are under no obligation to inform your line manager (or anybody else for that matter) that you are (or are not) taking action. ·          You are also not under any obligation to make provision (set work etc) for student groups that will be affected by the action. Any decision to do so is yours alone. ·          Joining picket lines outside of your place of work to show your support for the action or is fully lawful. ·          You will not be discriminated against for supporting your union and taking part in strike action. ·          Part time and hourly paid workers have identical legal rights as full time workers. Discrimination against part-time staff who participate in lawful industrial action is unlawful.

Solidarity

'Newcastle University UCU offers its wholehearted support to staff at Chesterfield College taking strike action in response to the threat of up to 70 compulsory redundancies at the College. We offer our solidarity in your fight to defend jobs and to defend Education in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need any help. Your fight is our fight. Newcastle University UCU' Geoff Abbott Newcastle University UCU Committee

Solidarity

I'm very sorry I cannot be with you tomorrow, but I'd like to express you my solidarity and support -- Umberto Albarella Department of Archaeology

Solidarity

Good luck with your strike tomorrow. A victory for you is a victory for all of us who are fighting the cuts.   Solidarity   Ian Crosson UCU membership sec Poplar branch Tower Hamlets College

All UCU members called out on Strike this Thursday 6th June.

Solidarity

Hi just wanted to give my support to you on your action against compulsory redundancy's at Chesterfield college. I feel that, at a time when the government is telling us our children are under educated, spending too much time playing on games and should be at school for longer periods the solution is to enforce staff reductions is hypocritical, misguided and disgraceful. As the parent of a teenager just about to begin education at college I am concerned and outraged by the situation you face. I will come support your action and commend you for taking the action you have. Regards Tim Chesterfield (GMB member)

Solidarity

Sam, fraternal greetings and pledges of support from Doncaster College branch. Please convey to your membership.

Solidarity

Hi Sam Please read this as a message of full solidarity from Liverpool Hope Branch Chair. Solidarity in all of our struggles! Gary -- Dr Gary Anderson Lecturer in Drama and Theatre Studies Drama Dance and Performance Studies UCU Chair Liverpool Hope University Creative Campus

Solidarity

Dear Sam, Just heard about your strike action from our regional official, and wanted to say good luck and solidarity from Hull. Regards, Helen MacCarthy UCU branch Vice President University of Hull

Solidarity

All best wishes for your important strike on Thursday. The 93% decisision to take action once more against your management plans is an inspiration to UCU members in FE everywhere. You have pushed them back before and you can push them back again! Together with civil servants and  teachers in NUT and NUSWAT, you are sending a clear message to the wretched Lib Con government that we have all had enough of austerity and cuts. Solidarity to you all. Liam Cullen Kim Begley Paul Holborow Epping Forest College UCU

Solidarity

Good luck with your strike on Thursday! I hope to get to one of your picket lines, but in any event, please pass on our branch’s solidarity for your action against the vile Butler. During his time at Barnsley College he was instrumental in breeding a bullying culture in an otherwise moderate HR Dept., There is a Unite the Resistance meeting in Barnsley on Wednesday eve and I will raise your dispute to help build solidarity for you and your members – if anybody is available from your branch to get through that would be great, but I really do appreciate (first hand!) how busy you will all be on the eve of a strike. Please keep me up to date with things. In solidarity, Lee Short Barnsley College UCU Joint branch secretary

93 % in favour of Strike action !

UCU Ballot to Defend Jobs & Defend Education @ Chesterfield College:

Dear Colleagues ,

Notification Ballot Result - 93 % in favour of Strike action .

A UCU full Branch Meeting will take place on  : Tuesday 4^th June 2013 at 4.00 P.M  - Recital Room  , North Block .

AGENDA

·       Implementation of  Ballot result

UCU - Lambeth College

We are shocked to hear about the 70 planned redundancies at Chesterfield. We stand with you as you fight these cuts to education and job losses and will do whatever we can to support you.

We are in a similar situation at Lambeth College where management have just announced 30-40 compulsories, as well as axing A level provision and laying out plans to cut our contract and annual leave next year.

As individual college managements attempt to exploit the crisis by pushing through cuts to courses, eliminating union reps and slashing our contracts which they have always wanted to do, we need to stand together and fight them every step of the way.

Please let us know how we can support you further.

Solidarity

Mandy Brown

UCU Branch Sec

Lambeth College

Defend Jobs & Defend Education @ Chesterfield College

UCU are campaigning in Chesterfield Town Centre on Saturday 25^th May 2013 from 11.00 A.M – 1.00 P.M – ( Stall 
In front of Market)


 Please come and support  your campaign 

- Defend Jobs & Defend Education @

 Chesterfield College

Vote Yes

UCU’s industrial action ballot opened  on Wednesday of this week and the ballot only remains open for 1 week.

·        You will now have received your ballot paper.

·        It is very important then that you vote and return 

        your ballot paper immediately. 

UCU are strongly urging that you vote YES in the ballot.