HOLY Cross college was brought to a standstill this week as teachers went out on strike after two members of staff were issued with redundancy notices.

Some 50 members of the two main teaching unions, the NASUWT and the NUT, joined the picket lines.

The stoppage took place after two teaching staff with 45 years' teaching experience between them were given redundancy notices which come into effect from December 31.

College managers say they have been forced into cutting staff "with regret", and insist that procedures have been followed.

Mrs Helen Andrews, Bury branch secretary of the NUT said: "The strike has been overwhelmingly supported and most of the students have stayed away.

"There has been no proper consultation for these redundancies. The college had not even spoken to the union before they were announced. "The management changed the consultation procedure over the summer but have not even adhered to their new rules."

Mr Neil Fairclough, Bury branch secretary for the NASUWT said: "There is a strong feeling that this is only the tip of the iceberg and that there may be more redundancies if it is allowed to go unchallenged."

And a striking teacher who didn't want to be named said: "All the teachers regret having to take action but they felt there was no other way."

There are currently no plans for further strikes with union leaders hoping to meet with management to discuss the situation.

Management at the Manchester Road sixth form college say that cuts have forced their hand.

Principal Mr Mike O'Hare said: "This is certainly something we would have not chosen to do, and are doing with deep and real regret."

Mr O'Hare explained that the college had received funding for 1,000 students, when they had asked for funding for 1,100 - and more cuts were on the way.

"We have been told that we should expect budget cuts of between 25 and 30 per cent in the next few years," he said.

The principal also insisted that all procedures had been properly followed before the redundancies were announced.

He said the college was successful and oversubscribed, but still forced into making the "horrific" decision to lose staff.

He said the staff had been chosen because of their subject area, rather than any other consideration.

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