A COLLEGE which has one of its bases in Keighley could face strike action in the wake of its announcement of major cuts to its funding.

Union leaders say Leeds City College, which has one of its bases in Dalton Lane, wants to cut wages and axe 146 members of staff.

The college has responded that it is trying to cope with severe Government funding cuts for the 2015/16 academic year.

The University and College Union (UCU) says it is making preparations for ballots for industrial action at both Leeds City College and Bradford College, which is also seeking to make savings.

The union has warned that Leeds City College plans to get rid of 312 full-time jobs then bring in 166 lower-paid roles to make nearly £11 million worth of savings. UCU said this would result in the loss of one-in-four college lecturing jobs.

It points out that this comes on top of 100 redundancies made during the college’s “Autumn Change” programme in 2014.

UCU regional official, Julie Kelley, said: "Further education colleges are experiencing difficult times thanks to big cuts in Government funding.

"However, the pace and scale of the job losses at Leeds City College and Bradford College is astonishing.

"Colleges experiencing difficulties need to work with us to try and manage the situation. The last thing we can afford is knee-jerk job cuts.

"We believe cuts of this size would cause real damage to the region’s chances of offering high-quality training and education for students and local businesses.

"The loss of such a large number of skilled jobs will have a significant impact on the local economy.

"Industrial action is always a last resort, but UCU will be announcing a timetable for the ballots in the next few days. Regrettably strike action cannot be ruled out at either college."

The Leeds City College spokesman said: "Like colleges all over the country including in Bradford, Leeds City College is again facing the impact of Government funding cuts.

"The college is working hard to absorb as much of the reductions in income as possible from non-pay budgets. But regrettably it's envisaged that there will be an impact on courses offered, estate portfolio and staffing levels.

"Current proposals include the reduction of up to 146 full-time equivalent posts from management, business support and teaching.

"Although it was a staff suggestion to reduce wages, this has not been taken up and the union are aware.

"Discussions are ongoing with trade union partners and staff as part of the official consultation process for proposed reorganisation.

"The college is extremely disappointed to hear of the UCU proposal to ballot members for strike action at what is a difficult time for staff, and an important time for students completing their studies along with those looking to join the college in September.

"The college seeks to minimise compulsory redundancies as far as possible, with job losses mitigated through offering voluntary severance, ensuring redeployment opportunities are maximised, and implementing a managed vacancy freeze."