No-confidence vote in college boss by staff
STAFF AT a Yorkshire college where about a third of the workforce could lose their jobs have unanimously backed a vote of no confidence in its chief executive.
University and College Union (UCU) members decided to push ahead with the motion against Michelle Swithenbank, CEO of Hull College Group, which calls for her immediate resignation.
The vote comes just a day after staff overwhelmingly voted for strike action after the group, which has sites in Hull, Goole and Harrogate, announced plans to axe 231 posts.
UCU said Ms Swithenbank’s position was now untenable after “a failure to defend jobs and a bizarre 24 hours which saw the management team attempt to bully and then bribe staff not to attend a protest against the running of the college”.
On Wednesday UCU accused the group of “bizarre” underhand tactics when it permitted an ice cream van to sell discounted treats on campus during a protest over the staff cuts.
The union said this came a day after the college had sent an email to staff claiming that the lunchtime protest, organised by the Hull Trades Council, could be illegal. UCU said attending the protest was legal and the college was either wilfully misrepresenting things, or did not understand basic employment law.
UCU regional official Julie Kelley said: “Staff have made it quite clear that they have no confidence in Michelle Swithenbank’s leadership and want her to resign immediately.
“To go from bullying to bribery in less than 24 hours highlights the chaotic shambles at the heart of Hull College leadership.
“Staff need someone running the college who will talk it up and publicly defend its staff and students.
“The college should scrap damaging plans to cut jobs and courses, and work with us to develop a more positive approach which meets the needs of local people.”
The union said it expects to announce strike dates in the next few days.
The Government has given the college an “eight-figure” Fresh Start grant to allow for the restructure at the college, which had run up a £10m deficit over four years.
In a statement released yesterday afternoon, the college group said it had not yet received any correspondence from UCU suggesting a vote of no confidence in the CEO.
A spokesman said: “Should any such vote be received, the corporation of the group will gladly provide their response.
“Additionally, we can confirm our employment solicitors identified participating in an unofficial protest during staffing hours could result in a breach of contract. A communication was sent to staff to give clear advice on their own responsibility and to make an informed decision to participate.
“We felt it was our responsibility as an employer to highlight the possible actions of joining a protest organised by an organisation which is not affiliated with the current negotiations.”