LECTURERS in Nottingham are balloting for strike action after “good faith” negotiations surrounding controversial new contracts collapsed.

University and College Union (UCU) members at Nottingham College claim that management are holding workers to “ransom” over a new contract.

The college has threatened to dismiss any employee refusing to sign the contract. Its terms would leave over 80 workers £1,000 poorer and see staff lose up to eight days’ holiday.

UCU regional official Sue Davis said: “Nottingham College is holding staff to ransom by threatening to dismiss anyone refusing to sign up to these new contracts.

“Asking staff who have gone nine years without a pay rise to accept a pay cut of over £1,000, as well as attacks on their working conditions, is simply unacceptable.

“We have been negotiating with the college in good faith but it has refused to address our concerns and we have been left with no choice but to ballot for industrial action.”