Fund row lecturers strike again

Striking lecturers are threatening to bring a north London university "to a standstill" in a row over job cuts.

Staff at the London Metropolitan University (LMU) in Holloway want Business Secretary Lord Mandelson to hold an inquiry into redundancy plans.

More than 300 of LMU's approximate 3,600 staff will be asked to take voluntary redundancy, and strikers say up to 550 posts will eventually be cut.

The university has said it aims to keep compulsory redundancies to a minimum.

LMU says it needs to cut costs after being told to repay £50m when it emerged more students dropped out than thought. The university has previously said strikes are "not the answer".

"Those responsible for the current mess must be held accountable, not the staff"

But Sally Hunt, of the University and College Union (UCU), said: "The situation at London Met is a nightmare and members don't want be taking industrial action.

"However, it is not acceptable for management to punish the staff for their mistakes."

She added: "Those responsible for the current mess must be held accountable, not the staff, and once again I call upon the Government to hold a fully independent public inquiry."

The strike, and the campaign to save jobs , is also being taken by Unison.

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