STAFF at Bradford College have voted to take three days of strike action next month in a row over job cuts and pay.

Members of the University and College Union were balloted over industrial action, with 94 per cent of members who voted backing strikes, and 86 per cent backing action to defend pay.

Staff will walk out on three days, from July 3 to 5.

The college has restructured its historic debt in a bid to bolster its financial position after a successful application to the Government’s Restructuring Facility.

But it said its current wage bill was “not sustainable” and the loss of jobs was “essential” to secure the college’s future.

The college wants to axe 131 jobs from the current workforce of 875 in the cost-saving move, which affects all departments, but the UCU believes the loss of valuable expertise would result in fewer opportunities for local people.

UCU members at Bradford College have already walked out for seven days of strikes this year in a row over pay.

They said staff have had only a one per cent pay rise once in the last 11 years and have seen their pay decline by 25 per cent in real terms over that period.

The union said that if the college wanted to avoid further disruption it needed to come back to the negotiating table prepared to talk seriously about pay and jobs.

UCU bosses are calling on Bradford College to look to the examples of other colleges delivering better pay and conditions for staff, highlighting recent deals at Hugh Baird College and Lambeth College as examples of what could be achieved when colleges work with the union.

UCU regional official Julie Kelley said: ‘These ballot results must leave the college in no doubt about how angry staff are at plans to axe jobs and hold down pay.

“Staff should not be made to pay the price for previous failings and the college should be concentrating on providing a fresh start that is built around job security and fair pay.

“This incredibly strong mandate for strike action should focus the minds of those in charge and the college now needs to come back to us prepared to negotiate seriously about pay and jobs.”

The College previously said of its well-publicised financial difficulties, which came to light in 2017: “The proposed reduction of jobs is an essential part of our ability to secure the College’s financial future so that we can continue our ambition to transform lives.”

It added that the agreed restructuring plan would enable the college to operate more efficiently on a sound financial footing, saying its current wage bill was not sustainable.

The announcement of strike action comes at the college received a financial boost earlier this week, after Lloyds Banking Group agreed to slash its debt in half, from £40m to £20m.

The original £40m loan from Lloyds was due to be paid within a year, but this deadline could not be met, so the Education and Skills Funding Agency helped negotiate a deal.

A Bradford College spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that UCU members have voted to take more strike action. 
“Whilst we acknowledge the right of staff to take industrial action it is disheartening that they are choosing to miss three days that have been set aside for important staff development opportunities which are designed to enhance their skills for the benefit of students.
“By taking strike action, UCU members are depriving themselves of key training which will impact on the student experience overall.
“The college will remain open as usual throughout any industrial action.”