EXPERIENCED staff at Barnsley College were dismissed and replaced by workers on 'low salaries and inferior contracts', according to the University and College Union (UCU).

The union has accused the college of wasting public money and putting students education at risk following a 'botched' restructure, resulting in 29 vacancies.

The restructure has saved the college £1.2m, despite initial estimations it would save between £500,000 and £600,000.

But UCU believes the college failed to follow a proper consultation process and staff were expected to make choices about their futures within days. It claims staff were slotted into new jobs before the legally required 30-day consultation period had ended.

UCU members at Barnsley College are currently being balloted for strike action over the restructure.

Colin Booth, principal of Barnsley College, said: "Every department will have suitably qualified and experienced staff teaching every class when term starts on September 1. There will be no adverse impact on students."

** The full story appears in the Barnsley Chronicle, dated August 22. **