AN UPCOMING strike in defence of jobs in adult learning was called off yesterday after employers agreed to enter meaningful negotiations with their union Unite.

Staff at the Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) in London were set to initiate industrial action on Monday after having been threatened in June with job redundancies and higher workloads for less pay.

The ballot for industrial action came out with an 85 per cent positive result. 

But barely 48 hours before the strike WEA management accepted to sit down with its workers.

“At-risk” letters and current “restructuring” proposals were withdrawn.

A Unite Clerkenwell and St Pancras spokeswoman told the Morning Star: “Unite members at WEA London region have remained solid in their commitment to ensure that the WEA remains true to its values equal, democratic and just.”

She said that new proposals are on the table, but this time under “full and meaningful consultation.

“Unite is expecting that the WEA will follow through on what has been agreed and the the need for members to take industrial action will not reoccur,” she added.

A worker at the school said the negotiations were “a huge achievement against this CEO and her corporatisation of WEA.” 

WEA’s current chief executive Ruth Spellman — formerly at the Chartered Management Institute — has become well known for her budget butchering and draconian measures.

Labour MPs including John McDonnell and Jeremy Corbyn have added their voices of support for the workers.

A rally in support of the WEA workers’ struggle will be taking place at the House of Commons on Tuesday at 1.15pm, counting with the presence of Mr McDonnell, Mr Corbyn and workers’ rights champion John Hendy QC.