A UNION has called for Bradford College to reduce the pay, expenses and “perks” of its executive staff to help its financial issues.

Last month it was announced that the college needed to make up a £6 million budget shortfall, and that the Government had issued it with a financial notice to improve. It meant the college would have to find “significant savings”.

The College was also given a “requires improvement” rating by Ofsted at a similar time.

The local branch of the University and College Union met for the first time since the double bombshell on Thursday, and members unanimously passed a motion calling for major changes in how the college is run.

Members also said they will ballot for action short of, and including, industrial action if the College decides to make job cuts to help balance its budget.

A statement from the union states: “Clearly, the college is in yet another crisis; a crisis created entirely by management, not the workforce.”

The motion calls for “an immediate reduction in executive pay, expenses and perks and a cap on executive salary,” stop engaging consultants, to “end all agency outsourcing and employ all staff directly” and introduce a “democratic management structure in which, competent governors, elected union officials and students are provided with appropriate information and resources in order to be actively involved in strategic decision making.”

The motion adds: “Bradford College UCU will ballot for action short of and including industrial action in the event of the college seeking to address any financial weakness through a reduction of expenditure on staffing other than that of the executive or any move by the college to worsen the terms and conditions of UCU members.”

When contacted the the Telegraph & Argus, a Bradford College spokesman said: “We welcome ongoing discussions with the trade unions and staff but were unaware of this resolution.

“The college is working on putting together a Strategic Recovery Plan. We are committed to providing an excellent student experience so the plan will focus equally on the quality and financial recovery.

“Senior executives have been meeting with staff and have been impressed with the constructive ideas that have been generated. The success of our students will remain the priority in everything the college does.”