Chichester College union votes to declare dispute over threat to Math and English teaching jobs

The equivalent of ten full-time jobs are at risk across English and Maths departments which would reduce current staff numbers from 25 to 15 across the Chichester and Brinsbury campuses, the union has said.

No other campuses are believed to be affected.

Chichester College Group said if redundancies are made, it would work 'very hard' to redeploy staff.

At a member's meeting on Friday (December 15) members voted unanimously in favour of declaring an official dispute with the college.

Chichester College issues statement over proposed Maths and English teacher redundanciesA spokesman for Chichester College UCU said: "We all had a members meeting on Friday and it was probably the best attended meeting we have had for years.

"We reported back from the meeting we had with the college's management and Shelagh Legrave and we gave them feedback about what was discussed at the meeting."

The union will move next to a consultative ballot which will be voted on next week.

UCU members will then decide the next steps which could include strike action and other routes which are to be discussed.

Chris Hartley, chair of Chichester College UCU said after the meeting: “The solid vote to declare a dispute and for move towards a consultative ballot shows the strength of feeling.

"The conviction that staff believe to make cuts to Maths and English will be a disservice to students and of their determination to do whatever it takes to prevent these vital staff from losing their jobs during a global pandemic.”

On the Union's next steps, the spokesman added: "It will all depend on the outcome of the ballot. If we have that endorsement of the membership, we would then decide the most effective action."

The consultative ballot should begin within the next few days, the spokesman confirmed.

"The fact that we had a unanimous vote in favour of going down this route is very encouraging and it shows that staff members are determined."