Workplace news in brief


Art attack

Following a public meeting attended by 200 parents and supporters, NUT members at Alfreton Grange Arts College in Derbyshire are taking eleven further days of strike action. College management plans to increase the number of teaching periods from 25 to 43, thereby ensuring shorter break times and leading to a longer school day. It is a question of quantity rather quality, leading to poorer educational outcomes. The college management is also looking for academy status. Previous action was reported in issue 875 of the Socialist and the new dates include 1,2 and 3 December plus 8, 9, 10 December the following week. Picket lines start at 9am.

Whovian invasion

Time Lords, cyborgs and stars from Dr Who joined together under the Love it or Lose it banner to offer their support to the BBC. Peter Davison, former Doctor Who, joined fellow actors Bertie Carvel and Sophie Aldred, Whovians in costume, June Hudson, the woman responsible for Tom Baker’s iconic scarf and members of the NUJ, Bectu, Equity, Musicians’ Union and Writers’ Guild outside the BBC’s headquarters in London. They were campaigning as the corporation’s future is put under threat as it faces charter renewal. John Whittingdale, culture secretary, is challenging the size and scope of the BBC and whether popular programmes such as Doctor Who, Strictly Come Dancing and the Great British Bake Off should be left to commercial broadcasters. They voiced fears that the backdoor deal between BBC management and the Treasury for the corporation to take on the payment of free licence fees for over 75s, will have a severe impact on the BBC’s budget.

Diagnosis: angry

In a turnout of 76.2%, junior doctors have voted overwhelmingly for industrial action after the government’s threat to impose a new junior doctor contract in England from August next year. Following a ballot of more than 37,000 junior doctors in England, more than 99% have voted in favour of industrial action short of a strike, and 98% for full strike action, demonstrating the strength of feeling among the profession. The strikes are scheduled to take place on 1, 8 and 16 December. See page 1 for more.