UNION bosses at the University of York say they fear the temporary closure of three college receptions could become permanent.

As previously reported in The Press, campus chiefs have closed the porters' lodges at Vanbrugh, Derwent and Wentworth college, due to staff shortages.

They say it is only a temporary measure, until April 28, but members of Unison say they fear it will last longer.

A branch spokesperson said: "The major concern to all who will be affected by these changes is that the university will take this opportunity to continue with these arrangements after that date has passed."

The spokesperson also said: "The decision taken by the University of York to close two colleges and withdraw portering support from a third has been strongly condemned by Unison and is being widely criticised by students and academic departments.

"Unison represents many of the current portering staff and is very concerned about the detrimental affect the imposition of these new working conditions is likely to have on these members of staff.

"The new initiatives are due to come into effect until, supposedly, April 28. The claim has been made that it will take the whole of this three-month period to recruit and train additional portering staff."

The spokesperson added: "Unison has raised its concerns with the university and is seeking an urgent meeting with the university's Security And Support Services Manager to discuss the problems with which he is faced and to try and work constructively with him to find a solution."

The university is 14 short of the required number of porters, and a further five are on sick leave - resulting in an overall 36 per cent shortfall.

The departure of staff follows the introduction of controversial new contracts, which compel porters and security staff to work different shifts in different colleges, as opposed to fixed shifts in one college as was previously the case.

A university spokesman said: "It was impossible to predict this temporary staff shortfall, but we are working hard to bring the situation back to normal as quickly as possible.

"Our ultimate aim is to maintain and improve the service, and to increase its flexibility in line with the new rosters. The university is now actively recruiting porters to fill existing vacancies."

Grace Fletcher-Hall, policy and campaigns officer for the university's Students' Union, told The Press: "It's a serious matter for concern if porters' lodges are going to be closed, and if people are not going to get portering services from people who are used to dealing with portering services in that college."