Union ballots on redundancies

Lecturers' union leaders threatened possible legal action against the University of Central England this week as UCE managers turned down four appeals against compulsory redundancy, writes Tony Tysome.

UCE chiefs used a controversial points scoring system to select five teaching staff for compulsory redundancy in its school of property and construction. Points were awarded for lecturers' qualifications, experience, research, and income generation.

All five appealed against the decision but only one was successful in keeping their job. Two have been offered alternative employment in the built environment faculty. The other two will lose their jobs.

The university said the job losses were necessary because of a 22 per cent drop in applications from home students over the past four years.

Regional representatives of Natfhe said they would be seeking legal advice on the redundancies.

Union members at the university are to be balloted on possible industrial action. A spokesman said: "We are not convinced these are genuine redundancies."