The basics of the case are that Bob was asked to investigate allegations about a lecturer and because he did not want to deal too severely with the individual the case was taken off him by HR and then Bob was dismissed for not being tough enough. The prosecuting manager asked Bob in the hearing why he had not taken the opportunity to get rid of the other lecturer! That is management philosophy, Barnsley College style.
Bob's sacking created an immediate angry response amongst UCU members and UNISON support staff. 120 plus demonstrated the day after his sacking and marched through the college chanting all the way, but with the loudest chants on the management corridor. The building echoed with: BARNSLEY COLLEGE HEAR US SAY: REINSTATE BOB TODAY! That night 80 plus UCU members crammed into an emergency meeting off premises so that Bob Willerton could attend and vote unanimously for a strike ballot. Many members wanted to walk out unofficially the following morning.
The meeting set up a 15 strong Action Committee which has produced campaigning materials like the online petition on the specially set up website - www.justiceforbob.info. This week there is another branch meeting as the ballot opens and a public rally. The T shirts and stickers are on their way.
The dismissal of Bob Willerton is the only the latest in a series of disciplinaries in the college in the last 18 months. Bob is the 15th UCU member to be on a disciplinary since January 2007 - or over 5% of the lecturer workforce. from when barnsley College was set up in 1990 to 2003 no lecturer was dismissed. From 2003-06 there were 2 sackings. In 2006-07 there were a further 2 and in 2007-08 that figure jumped to 4. Members have had enough of the bullying intimidatory climate.
But this sacking indicates a stepping up of the attack. It is an attack on both the union and its ability to represent its members. It is no accident that this is happening at a time when UCU branches all over the country are gearing up for a fight over pay. And the attack on contracts at Bishop Auckland - seen off so far by the strength of the union response - is part of the same process. The way members have fought back in both colleges shows the way to overturning this management offensive.
Already nearly 100 UCU branches and other unions like the NUT and GMB have expressed their support for our campaign and this has been a tremendous boost for both Bob and the branch. The ballot closes on Thursday 25th Sept. by which Bob's appeal date will have been set.
Show your support
Send a message demanding Bob Willerton's reinstatement to the college principal, Paula Whittle at: p.whittle@barnsley.ac.uk
Sign the petition at: www.justiceforbob.info.
Send messages of support to d.gibson@barnsley.ac.uk, Dave Gibson, Barnsley College UCU.
Copyright ©
UCU Left
Webmaster: Mark Campbell
Webmaster: Mark Campbell