FOUR OF the six chairmen of Northern Ireland's newly merged further education colleges have now resigned, due to an escalating workload and lack of pay.
Only one of the college heads charged with overseeing the creation of the six new institutions now remains - one resigned within months, one left in June, one died, and two resigned on Thursday.
When the positions were created, the commitment was estimated at eight to 10 meetings per year, but the appointees said they attended up to 70 meetings a year.
Furthermore, while the application form said the Department of Employment and Learning was considering paying them for the work, none has received any money.
Pat O'Kane, who resigned as chairman of the South West college, covering Tyrone and Fermanagh, said he had found the workload unacceptable.
"We have indicated to the department on an ongoing basis that given the workload, we considered it should be remunerated.
"They agreed with us and said that they would actively pursue the case. As we stand today that has not happened."
The resignation of the chairmen has also threatened the ongoing pay talks with lecturers.
Jim McKeown, from the University and College Union, said: "It is going to have implications for the collective bargaining process approach. The governors had taken in the past responsibility for dealing with unions on pay and conditions of service. With those people resigning, it throws the whole bargaining issue into jeopardy."