Union lead Valentine's Day strike at Halesowen College (From Halesowen News)

Union lead Valentine's Day strike at Halesowen College

10:56am Thursday 14th February 2013 in News

HALESOWEN College staff went out on strike today in support of the Halesowen Four.

Protesters picketed the Whittingham Road campus at 7.30am and branded the protest a success claiming lessons were hit by the industrial inspection.

University and College Union regional representative Nick Varney said: “There has been a massive turnout with over 70 staff lecturers and none members turned up to picket.

“Students have been really supportive, with many and their parents refusing to cross the picket line, we have been told that lessons have been effected today with the strike.”

The UCU had wanted to present college management with a Valentine’s Card with 12,000 signatures supporting the Halesowen Four, however, they security guards stopped them.

Mr Varney said: “Twelve thousand signatures is just unheard of for a union like ours so it was sad that they never accepted the card.

“The way these lecturers have been treated is like something before the 1960s, to appoint replacements before displinaries is disgraceful.

“The management are acting like latter day mill owners and that is why we are fighting this.”

However, Halesowen College bosses are remaining firm concerning David Muritu, Jason White, Sarabjit Ahluwalia-Timmins and Rachel Griew dismissals after throwing out all four appeals.

Management blamed falling standards for the sackings.