The maths department have received considerable lack of support in the face of student needs from college management. All four union activists where at odds with College Principal Keith Bate over his and senior managements lack of support the department.

This means that four cases now stand out as precedents for dismissal on the grounds of student results alone with no attention to their individual observation grades and without any act of gross misconduct. This leaves every member of staff vulnerable: even a good teacher with a clean disciplinary record could be dismissed if their results dipped.

The broad message sent out by these sackings is clear: staff are 100% responsible for student outcomes, even if managerial incompetence or mistakes were to cause the failure of students.

This is an attack on trades unionism and workers rights and sets a dangerous precedent for other colleges to do the same thing

Halesowen UCU members have voted to ballot for escalating industrial action and a public meeting has been called for Monday 14th January, 7:30 at Old Hill Cricket Club.

Old Hill Cricket Club
Haden Hill Park Road
Cradley Heath
West Midlands
B64 7HF

Map here:  http://www.oldhillcc.co.uk/page5.html