Readers will remember the news last week that tutors at Isle of Wight College hearing about possible redundancy through the Royal Mail.
The Universities and College Union have been in touch today to say that they will be supporting all Isle of Wight College employees who are under threat of redundancy.
One commenter on VB last week claimed that many of the staff under threat of redundancy learnt more about what was happening on VB than they had through the letters received in the post.
Phil Truckel, joint Branch Representative of UCU at the College said, “This valuable provision, delivered by highly skilled practitioners is now under threat as efficiencies are being sought by the management of the College.
“It is the responsibility of UCU to ensure that procedures are followed correctly and that redundancies are avoided, hopefully through a positive consultation with staff where all options are carefully considered or, failing that through redeployment or voluntary redundancies.
Students shouldn’t suffer
“Furthermore we have a belief that no student should be suffering as a consequence of this process.
“If the skills of these academics were lost to the College and the Island, it would not only be a great shame, but a loss to all those who have benefited, or would benefit in the future – this includes organisations such as Sure Start and the Probation Service.
“We (UCU) are not naïve to the challenges ahead as the spending review bites, but if we compromise provision of education to those most in need – we should look very closely at what is going on in this country and question our politicians’ policies.
“Here at the College we need to ensure that both jobs and provision are protected for the benefit of our Island and we hope that by working closely with the senior management we can ensure both are protected whilst efficiencies are sought.”
