LECTURERS at Burton and South Derbyshire College are to walk out today in protest at proposed changes to a national pension scheme.
Fifty-seven University College Union (UCU) members from the college are joining thousands of lecturers across the country in the strikes in a row over increased pension contributions.
The college says that lessons will not be affected and students are to attend classes as normal.
Mike Benford, union secretary at the college, said that changes to their pension scheme could cost further education lecturers as much as £36,000 over the lifetime of their pension.
“We will have to pay more and retire later with a poorer pension,” he said.
“The Teachers Pension Scheme provides us with a fair and decent retirement, which is now under threat from these Government proposals.
“In November 2006 the union agreed reforms to make the pension scheme more sustainable, and we are calling on the Government to respect that.
“The scheme is not in crisis and this is being driven by the Government wanting to bolster its finances.”
On the impact on teaching, Mr Benford said: “We are always concerned about the effect on students, but there will be no effect on exams.
“If there is any effect, we feel we are safeguarding the students’ future.”
College vice principal John Beaty said: “The decision to take action has been taken at a national level and although our employees, who are members of the union, may be instructed to strike, they are not in dispute with Burton and South Derbyshire College.
“The college is working to minimise any possible impact of any industrial action on our learners’ education, so the college will be open as usual. No classes will be cancelled and all learners should attend their normal timetabled sessions.”
The lecturers were due to form a picketline outside the college’s main entrance in Lichfield Street, Burton, from 8am today.
