Death to teaching standards

Lecturers from Liverpool Community College led a ‘funeral procession’ through the city centre last Friday in protest over new contracts.

They say they are worried that the introduction of new contracts which would force new workers to work longer hours, for less pay would divide the staff.

Nina Doran, University and College Union Liaison for Liverpool Community College said:
“The new contracts have been introduced for new staff, we’re really concerned about these new contracts because they have different conditions for pay and it’s going to divide the staff.”

Dozens of people joined in the march, as a makeshift coffin was carried through the city as a symbol that lecturers are concerned that teaching standards will drop as the best lecturers will go elsewhere if they are treated unfairly.

One of the lecturers who joined in the march but asked not to be named said: “The college has introduced new contracts so it means the same people doing the same job teaching, but on less money and more hours.”

Before the march took place, a number of the new contracts were burned outside the college to the cheers of the gathered crowd.

The lecturers held a group meeting after the march to discuss future action that may be taken if their voices are not heard.