PICKETS were out at Barnsley College on Tuesday as members of the University and College Union took strike over the imposition of new contracts.
The union say the contract includes detrimental changes to existing roles pay structures.
The UCU say the new contracts significantly reduce the number of Course Leaders and will cut the teaching staff budget in the future with staff facing a pay cuts of up to £9,000 and five days fewer holiday.
The union also claim that management are encouraging experienced staff to take voluntary redundancy in order to replace them with lower paid staff.
Colin Booth, Barnsley College Principal, said: “Eighty-five members of staff took strike action on the day from a total of 800 staff employed by the college. Most of the college operated as normal.
“I am disappointed that after almost six months of negotiations, UCU chose to strike over a contract that will bring positive changes to the pay structure and conditions of service for many of our staff. I would like to emphasise that no staff member will see any reduction in their current pay or conditions of service as a result of the new contract.”
