LECTUERS stage a walk-out in the morning (Tuesday) as London’s biggest university is hit by a �36 million financial crisis. Staff are bringing the London Metropolitan to a standstill as members of the college union go on strike for the third time in eight weeks

By Mike Brooke

LECTUERS stage a walk-out in the morning (Tuesday) as London’s biggest university which has been hit by a �36 million financial crisis.

Staff are bringing the London Metropolitan to a standstill as members of the University & College Union go on strike for the third time in eight weeks in their ongoing fight to save hundreds of teaching posts.

They plan picket lines from 8am at campus buildings at Aldgate and Whitechapel in London’s East End, as well as Moorgate in the City and the main campus in Holloway.

The union holds a mass rally at 12 noon outside the Central House Building in Whitechapel High Street.

PUBLIC INQUIRY

The rally is followed by a delegation to the Department of Business & Skills in Whitehall to hand in a petition with 3,500 signatures to Peter Mandelson calling for a public inquiry into the way the London Met has handled its finances and for a halt to the job cuts.

“The situation at London Met is a nightmare,” said union general secretary Sally Hunt.

“It is not acceptable for management to punish the staff for their mistakes. Those responsible for the mess must be held accountable, not the staff.”

The university, which has 34,000 students, many from deprived communities like the East End, has been hit by repayment’ demands by Whitehall totaling �36m.

It has responded to the crisis by announcing plans to axe over 550 posts.

The union is calling for all compulsory job losses to be suspended until a public inquiry is held.