We are entering our third week of indefinite strike action at Tower Hamlets College.
And pickets start at 7.30am.
As you can imagine it's cold and dark at that time of the morning.
Come and visit us on the picket lines. Say hello and make our day.
We are at:
Find out why teaching staff are fighting back
At a meeting on Wednesday 26 August 2009, University & College Union officials (UCU) reported that they had met with Tower Hamlets College principal, Michael Farley and the finance director, Colin Henderson on the previous day in a last ditch attempt to 'broker a settlement'. This came after a summer of massive political pressure from local MPs, councillors and the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. As well as meetings with UCU officials and UCU staff reps.UCU presented an 'honorable settlement' in which the principal could save face and avert the impending strike.Principal Michael Farley totally intransigent However, Barry Lovejoy, head of further education, UCU, received a telephone call from Michael Farley, at the 26 August meeting at 1330 that he (Michael Farley) could not agree Part 1 of the settlement.Part 1 of the settlement is the reinstatement of teaching staff who are on compulsory redundancy at a cost of around £200,000.Given that Tower Hamlets College has £6million in the bank, the staffing costs would be less than 1% of the budget. Isn't this what the money is for?'Reckless management'Barry Lovejoy, said of the principal and senior management, "we have a totally reckless management at this college."At 1349, UCU Head Office served indefinite strike on Tower Hamlets College."Michael Farley must take responsibility for drop in numbers" declared Barry Lovejoy.Want to know more?