A GROUP of lecturers yesterday staged a demonstration in a university's executive suite to protest at plans to shed up to 58 posts.

The demonstration at Northumbria University followed a meeting of college lecturers' union NATFHE, which voted unanimously to ballot on industrial action if the threat of compulsory redundancy is not withdrawn.

Any action would involve the withholding of marks, working strictly to contract and strike action.

Lecturers also passed a motion of no confidence in the vice-chancellor Professor Kel Fidler and the Board of Governors.

The move follows the Newcastle-based university's decision to axe jobs in three of its departments - arts and social sciences, health, community and education studies and informatics.

The university has said every effort will be made to avoid compulsory redundancies.

Speaking after the demonstration, NATFHE branch chairman Martin Levy said: "Unless the threat of sackings is withdrawn, the whole assessment process will be in jeopardy.

"Members are determined to defend their colleagues, who are being targeted simply because of the vice-chancellor's arbitrary accounting rules.

"Any of us could be in the same position this time next year."

A university spokesman said management were hoping to meet with union leaders today.