Read more, and take action by sending letters and signing a petition, at http://www.justiceforbob.info/.

The background:

Members of the University and College Union (UCU) at Barnsley College are outraged at the decision of the college management to sack Bob Willerton, one of the UCU branch officials at the college. They see the sacking as an attack on their union and a terrible injustice to a well respected colleague.

Vice Principal, Phil Cook, announced the decision on Tuesday afternoon, following a disciplinary hearing. Barnsley College has had an extremely high rate of disciplinary cases over the last year. 5% of ALL lecturers have been on a disciplinary in the last 20 months – as many as in the previous 18 years. A further 3 colleagues are currently under investigation and their cases could lead to disciplinaries.

Barnsley College UCU responded swiftly to the sacking. 120 members attended a lunch time protest the next day, marching down the management corridor accompanied by press reporters. A very large meeting that night, called at 24 hours notice, voted unanimously to ballot for industrial action.

Bob will be appealing against the dismissal and a ballot for action will commence as soon as possible.

*WHAT YOU CAN DO* - All UCU branches and Regions are asked to send messages of support to the Barnsley College branch Secretary, Dave Gibson at d.gibson@barnsley.ac.uk and messages condemning the college's actions to the College's Principal, Paula Whittle at p.whittle@barnsley.ac.uk

Sign the online petition: http://www.justiceforbob.info/   

Barnsley in the news:

http://www.barnsley-chronicle.co.uk/news/2,0000,2275.html