College workers strike could hit students’ exams
GCSE students in East Lancashire are facing exam disruption as staff prepare to strike over pay.
The walkout at Nelson & Colne College Group – which merged with
Accrington & Rossendale College in November 2018 – and Burnley College is set to take place on Wednesday, May 18 – the day thousands of teenagers are due to take their crucial GCSE English language exam.
The University and College Union last week told bosses of six colleges in the North West to urgently raise staff pay if they want to avoid the walkout.
UCU expects about 900 staff across the six colleges to down tools, leaving more than 50,000 students impacted.
Staff have timed their strike to take place the same day as the GCSE English language exam, meaning if the strike goes ahead it will have to be cancelled.
From Thursday, May 19, staff will also be taking action short of strike, which includes working to contract, not covering
for absent colleagues or vacant posts, and not rescheduling lectures or classes cancelled due to strike action.
UCU is demanding the colleges increase pay by at least 8.5pc to meet the cost of living crisis.
They claim that since 2009 pay in further education has fallen behind inflation by 35pc and the pay gap between school
and college teachers stands at around £9,000.
It comes after Westminster recently announced the biggest increase in further education funding in more than a decade.
The 8.4pc increase in funding is targeted at those in England aged 16-17 years old, the biggest rise in funding for further education in more
than decade, and coming after £240m in additional funding announced in 2018.
UCU regional official Martyn Moss said: “We urge employers to do the right thing and give staff a pay rise so strike action can be avoided.
“Our members take huge pride in educating and supporting students, and striking during
exams is a last resort, but staff are rightly outraged that bosses have repeatedly held down pay.
“Now as inflation and energy costs soar, bosses urgently need to raise pay so we can avoid disruption to crucial GCSE English exams.”
The Observer has contacted Nelson & Colne College Group and Burn
ley College for comment.