Lakes College lecturers say they've had enough of the workload, and strikes could follow Lakes College staff enter formal dispute over workload and timetable changes
Marra Mode is how we'd tell you this in the Co-op. Switch it off for the straight version.
Staff in the UCU union at Lakes College have voted to go into a formal dispute over workloads and timetables, and they say industrial action could be next. The college says it's still talking.
This one's for students at Lakes College in Workington, their families, and everybody who works there.
Staff in the University and College Union (UCU) at Lakes College have voted by a big margin to go into a formal industrial dispute, the News & Star says. The union made it official on Tuesday 20 October, after a branch vote the week before.
UCU said: "The dispute centres around on-going issues around excessive workload, stress and timetabling changes with little communication, and the impact this is having on both staff and student wellbeing." It warned that industrial action could be on the cards unless there's proper talks and a plan to sort things out.
UCU's general secretary, Jo Grady, said: "Industrial action is a last resort for our members, but this vote to enter a formal dispute shows that they have had enough and are ready to fight."
The college's principal and chief executive, Mark Fell, said: "We are disappointed that UCU has taken this direction while early and constructive discussions with the union are still ongoing."
He did own up to a rocky start to term. He said: "We recognise that there was some disruption at the beginning of the academic year, with systems changes introduced to improve the experience for both our students and staff." He said the college has gone through timetables and work patterns with staff, and brought in changes over the last year to improve communication and wellbeing.
A formal dispute comes before any strike ballot, so nothing's been called yet. No dates have been set.
What you can do: if you're a student or a parent with questions, get in touch with the college. If any action does get announced, the college should let students know what it means for their classes.
UCU members at Lakes College in Workington have voted to enter a formal dispute over workload, stress and timetable changes, warning industrial action could follow; the college says talks are ongoing.
This is for students at Lakes College in Workington, their families, and the people who work there.
Members of the University and College Union (UCU) at Lakes College have voted overwhelmingly to enter a formal industrial dispute, the News & Star reports. The union announced the dispute on Tuesday 20 October after a branch vote the week before.
In a statement, UCU said: "The dispute centres around on-going issues around excessive workload, stress and timetabling changes with little communication, and the impact this is having on both staff and student wellbeing." It warned that industrial action could be inevitable unless meaningful talks take place and action plans are brought in.
UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: "Industrial action is a last resort for our members, but this vote to enter a formal dispute shows that they have had enough and are ready to fight."
The college's principal and chief executive, Mark Fell, said: "We are disappointed that UCU has taken this direction while early and constructive discussions with the union are still ongoing."
He accepted there had been problems in September. He said: "We recognise that there was some disruption at the beginning of the academic year, with systems changes introduced to improve the experience for both our students and staff." He added that the college had worked with staff to review individual timetables and work patterns, and had brought in measures over the past year on communication, staff voice and wellbeing.
A formal dispute is a step before any ballot for strikes or other action. No dates for industrial action have been announced.
What you can do: students and parents with questions should contact the college directly. If any action is announced, Lakes College would be expected to tell students how teaching will be affected.