Disgruntled lecturers consider strike action

Lecturers at Liverpool John Moores University are to be ballotted over industrial action following an overwhelming vote of no confidence in senior management.

Almost 94 per cent of the 179 lecturers who voted last week supported the censure of "the executive management team" organised by lecturers' union Natfhe. The vote follows a similar protest by administrative staff union Unison.

Natfhe said the vote was a result of concern over the management of reforms, overseen by retiring vice-chancellor Peter Toyne, which were the result of a Pounds 2.5 million deficit.

Natfhe was concerned about the implementation of a new academic plan and the amalgamation of schools without proper discussion with staff or a review of the changes in conditions for staff.