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.