MASSIVE VOTE TO STRIKE

​​UCU members at the Arbour Square/Tower Hamlets branch of New City College (NCC) have overwhelmingly supported a strike ballot for action, which closed on 13 February, in their fight against the unfair dismissal of Wojtek Dmochowski. Over 92% of members declared their willingness to take industrial action consisting of a strike. The strength of solidarity was further bolstered by the impressive turnout, standing at over 70% of the eligible membership.

UCU has been calling on the college to reinstate Wojtek and agree protocols for dealing with complaints or issues involving union representatives. Wojtek's dismissal is a clear case of trade union victimisation which is part of a wider pattern of anti-union practices at NCC, aimed at silencing activists and curtailing lawful union activity. ​

The successful ballot gives staff at the college the lawful mandate to take industrial action, which could potentially lead to major disruption. While strike action is a last resort, the prospect of it might give NCC management cause to rethink and reverse its previously intransigent and unreasonable stance.