Croydon College strikes against the cuts (From Croydon Guardian)

Croydon College strikes against the cuts

2:30pm Wednesday 21st September 2011 in News By Hannah Williamson

Staff and students at Croydon College

Staff and students of Croydon College stood united last week in protest at job cuts.

Cuts of more than £4m to the college’s budget were announced at the end of the summer, with more than 80 staff threatened with redundancy.

On September 14, University and College Union (UCU) members held a two-hour strike and rally in protest at the job losses.

Staff claim the college’s management rushed through redundancies during the summer, ignoring the statutory 90-day consultation period.

Margot Hill, UCU branch secretary, said: “The effect of the cuts on Croydon College are devastating. Government spending cuts caused the shortfall in the college budget, and more cuts could follow.”

A spokesman for the college said: “Following a ballot of members, UCU called for industrial action in the form of a two-hour strike during lunchtime on September 14.

“The strike action related to compulsory redundancies at the college arising from reduction in Government funding.

“The college remained open as normal.”