Classes will be disrupted on Thursday (June 18) when lecturers at Ealing Hammersmith and West London College go on strike.
Members of the UCW lecturers’ union will walk out at all four college campuses - in Ealing, Hammersmith, Acton and Southall, over the threat of compulsory redundancies.
According to the union, the college is shedding 140 posts, including a number of teachers, as senior management grapple to make £8m worth of cuts before the next academic year.
Despite many staff members taking up voluntary redundancies, the UCU estimates five teaching and curriculum management posts still at risk of compulsory redundancy. Originally this figure was much higher.
Its members voted by 72% in favour of strike action if the union did not receive a guarantee there will be no compulsory redundancies to teaching staff, which the college has been unable to provide.
The cuts are being forced onto the college following the government’s decision to cut 24% of the higher education budget.
The college’s lead UCU negotiator, Matthew Cookson, said: “While we have made steps forward from the original proposal, which could have seen more than 24 teachers at risk, five compulsory redundancies are five too many.
“Members want to show support for, and solidarity with, their colleagues who are at risk of losing their jobs due to funding decisions made by a callous government.
“UCU also wants to stand up for further education, a vital sector that provides first and second chances for students from all backgrounds.
"If we don’t defend further education now, it faces devastation through further cuts planned in the next academic year and beyond.”
Pickets are expected at each the college’s campuses between 7.30am-11.30am on Thursday.
