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From The Socialist newspaper, 3 October 2012
Barnfield College, Luton: Kick private profit out of education
On the picket line at Barnfield College in Luton 2 October 2012, photo Steve Glennon (Click to enlarge)
On 2 October, lecturers at Barnfield college in Luton were on strike against an 'unlimited hours' contract.
The college already sponsors academies and free schools and now the principal is apparently keen to change it into a profit-making institution. The plan is to increase annual hours and cut the number of staff to deliver them.
Steve Glennon spoke to Shane Hall, regional support officer for UCU, on the picket line.
"The strike is going very well, we have more people out than we expected. We have pickets on ten gates at three campuses.
"The threat of the principal's plan to create 30,000 extra teacher hours, which would result in redundancies, stirred staff into action.
"All staff were sent a letter yesterday saying they had one week to sign the new contract or they will be deemed to have terminated their contract.
"The principal, who is the darling of the Tories, will also have the right to change the contract at any time without consultation.
"We are fighting for the college to return to the negotiating table. An increase from 21 hours to 26 hours is not workable, it could even be 35 hours."
- Staff at K College in Kent are due to strike for half a day on 8 October, against cuts. The UCU and NUT teaching union members will be protesting outside a governors' meeting in Tonbridge against threats to 110 full-time teaching and support workers' posts.
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In The Socialist 3 October 2012:
Education news & analysis
Tory education policy: 'This is just about making cuts isn't it?'
Building the fightback in the universities
Suspended student union president continues fight for reinstatement
NUT activists prepare for action
Barnfield College, Luton: Kick private profit out of education
Partial victory for international students at London Metropolitan
No to slave labour in universities
International socialist news and analysis
Europe: Class struggle returns with a bang
South Africa: Solidarity with miners
Algerian war of independence 1954-1962
Socialist Party NHS campaigning
Action against Profit From Illness!
South West NHS workers want action against 'pay cartel'
Save Greater Manchester mental healthcare
Cut the Con-Dems - not our NHS!
Socialist Party workplace news
Bin workers calling indefinite strike brought results
Day of Action to save HMRC nurseries
Crossrail flashmob blocks London's Oxford Street
Arts and culture workers need to fight back
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
The fight of all our lives - For a 24-hour general strike
Councillors must resist all Tory cuts
Thousands march for an independent Scotland
Rape is No Joke campaign discussed
Socialist Party news and analysis
Scotland: Lamont throws Labour Party into crisis
Sickened by Labour conference? Build the anti-cuts alternative!
Council tax benefit - new and not improved
Squatting conviction paves way for rise in homelessness
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