Tomorrow’s planned strike action at Bradford College has been suspended by the University and College Union (UCU), following what positive discussions with the employer over planned job cuts.

Members had voted in favour of strike action earlier this month over proposed job cuts, which were announced after the college was issued with a financial notice to improve in March. 

According to UCU, the college has now announced that it will reopen its voluntary redundancy scheme until Friday. It has also agreed to look at the best ways to redeploy staff at risk of redundancy.

Members’ concern

UCU regional official Julie Kelley said: “We are pleased the college has listened to members’ concerns and agreed to rethink its approach to job cuts. We will continue to engage closely with the college to ensure staff are redeployed where possible, avoid compulsory redundancies and minimise the impact of restructure plans on staff and students.’

The decision at Bradford College comes less than a week after strikes at Sandwell College were also called off, due to progress in the pay talks.