Strike over contracts

Lecturers at Leicester College began an all-out strike this week to protest against the introduction of a staff contract that, they say, has not been negotiated with union leaders. Lecturers' union Natfhe said the contract cut holiday entitlement and introduced unlimited Saturday work. A college spokeswoman said the contract was compulsory for new staff only. "We are still operating about 85 per cent of our courses, so it is close to business as usual despite the strike," she said.