UNION leaders will be meeting managers at East Durham College this week following the announcement of up to 10 compulsory redundancies.

The college confirmed last night it was consulting with a number of members of staff who may be at risk of redundancy, following a review of overall staffing structure.

But the GMB regional organiser Stephen Thompkins said: "This is purely a cost cutting exercise. The college has invited voluntary redundancies, but if not enough come forward there will have to be compulsory redundancies.

"We do not feel we were consulted beforehand.

Mr Thompkins said the cuts were all in the estate and services department and involved caretaking and maintenance staff.

He said: "We feel our members have done more than enough to cut costs to bring the budget down.

"They have brought it down by at least 20 per cent by accepting a freeze in overtime and offering full flexibility."

A spokesman for the college said initially it may have been faced with up to 73 enforced redundancies.

However, as the consultation period has progressed, a number of staff have chosen to take voluntary redundancy and a number of departments have come back to management with proposed changes and reductions in contracts.

A statement released by the college said there are still a number of consultation periods running, with the last ending on February 24, so any final enforced redundancies cannot be confirmed.

However indications are that they will number less than 10.

Principal Stuart Wesselby said: "This is a very difficult time for everyone but I have been overwhelmed by the professionalism of our staff and how imaginative they have been in helping to try and minimise the number of possible enforced redundancies.

"The college reviews its structures and staffing levels on a regular basis in order to ensure it is run in line with funding and meets the changing requirements of learners, employers and communities.

"I would like to assure all our students that any changes will not have an adverse affect on the quality of front-line teaching."

He added, staff who are at risk of redundancy are being offered support through the difficult process.