Bradford College staff will go on strike for three days over job cuts and pay this week.

Members of the University and College Union (UCU) will walk out from Wednesday 3 to Friday 5 July in protest at plans to axe 131 jobs. 

Staff at the college have had just a 1 per cent pay rise in the past 11 years, and have seen their pay decline by 25 per cent in real terms over the same period. UCU members at Bradford previously walked out for seven days of strikes in March.

Background: Half of this week’s college strikes cancelled or paused

More news: Nottingham College staff to strike over pay

Quick read: Strike at Bradford College suspended

College ‘real-terms pay cuts’

UCU regional official Julie Kelley said:”‘UCU members have made it clear that they are not prepared to pay the price for previous failings by the college. Strike action is a last resort, but staff at Bradford face attacks on their jobs and real-terms pay cuts and they say enough is enough.

“Other colleges have shown what can be achieved when they engage seriously with us on pay and jobs, and if Bradford wants to avoid serious disruption then it needs to urgently work with us to address the concerns of its staff.”

A Bradford College spokesperson said:  “Any industrial action is regrettable but the college fully respects the right of union members to strike.

“Reducing staffing costs is essential to help secure the college’s long-term future. We are still in the process of consulting on the restructure plans and are committed to keeping the number of compulsory redundancies to a minimum.

“The college will remain open throughout the three-day period and students will not be impacted. The academic year has already finished for the vast majority of students but they will still be able to access facilities as normal.”