NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TEACHERS IN FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION

At Cricklade College in Andover, Hampshire, Andrew Murray a leading NATFHE activist has been declared 'redundant’.; Andrew Murray is Southern Region Secretary, a member of NATFHE's National Executive Council, Vice-Chair of the FE Committee of the NEC, Chair of the FE Sector Conference, and an elected National Negotiator.; Andrew has been elected to these positions because members trust him to represent them effectively and honestly.; If Andrew Murray can be sacked then so can any other NATFHE activist in the country.; The defence of members at Cricklade College is one of the most serious cases of trade union rights that NATFHE has been involved in.; The implications of this case go much wider than one college or one trade union.

Stop victimisation

Victimisation is an attack on us all.; We must stand by union officers when they are under attack.; In recent years too many NATFHE Officers and union activists have been disciplined and dismissed for the 'crime' of representing members effectively.; The sacking of a union officer is an attack on the right of the union to operate freely in the workplace.; Members must support union officers when they are under attack; otherwise there will be no one to defend you when you need help.

Demand re-instatement of sacked NATFHE members

The management at Cricklade College has declared 'redundant' three members of the Business Studies section, Andrew Murray and two of his colleagues.; NATFHE demands the rescinding of the redundancy notices.; We must insist that all three lecturers get their jobs back.

Come to Andover on 14 November - Help make a difference

Please come to Andover and take part in the national demonstration on Saturday 14 November, if you possibly can. Your presence on the streets of Andover can help to make a difference.; NATFHE members in Cricklade College, who may be taking industrial action to defend Andrew Murray and his colleagues, need to know that they have your support. A large demonstration, with contingents from all over the country, will show the Acting Principal and Governors at Cricklade College that they cannot get away with these sackings. It's time to take a stand against victimisation.
 

Ms Elizabeth Blakemore, Acting Principal
and Mr Paul Jarrett, Chair of Corporation
Cricklade College
Charlton Road
Andover
Hants SP10 1EJ

Wednesday, 04 November 1998

Dear Ms Blakemore/Mr Jarrett

Re: Redundancies

I am writing to you with reference to the decision you have recently taken to make redundant three Cricklade College Lecturers. As a NATFHE member and Lecturer, I wish to express concern at this decision and urge you to reconsider.

Although the Corporation denies trade union victimisation, having carefully considered the details, there is conclusive evidence that this is not an ordinary case of redundancy, but arises from the events surrounding the College’s involvement in a dubious franchising arrangement, which led to a visit from the South Wales Fraud Squad and the suspension of your Principal, Richard Evans. Because of the inevitable attention which allegations of financial irregularity has brought, and will continue to bring, Cricklade College Corporation needs to think carefully about how to protect the good name of the College.

The future reputation of your College will certainly not be enhanced by your decision to go ahead with these redundancies in the face’ of widespread condemnation over a period of six months. There will be dismay across the country that your behaviour is at odds with the hopeful changes in the Further Education Sector towards more open, just and accountable conduct by management in their relations with their staff. In particular, the targeting of such a prominent and highly respected NATFHE activist as Andrew Murray, will raise alarm bells throughout NATFHE and the entire Trade Union movement. The government itself has expressed concern about attacks on ”whistle blowers” and your action will undoubtedly be seen to fall into this category by all neutral observers.

You are charged with a responsibility to lead Cricklade College into a secure and prosperous future. This cannot happen if you seek to proceed with your current line of action. I urge you to publish the independent report into alleged financial irregularities and to rescind the redundancy notices, in order that Cricklade can return to normality for the good of all your staff and students.

Yours sincerely
 

Letters of protest as above

Donations of support  to
                    NATFHE Reg. Treas. 2 Well Lane, Curbridge, Witney, Oxon OX8 7PA