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UCU Strikes over low pay go ahead tomorrow at 3 North West colleges
STAFF at 11 colleges across England, including 3 in the North West, will be on picket lines tomorrow morning as they begin 3 days of consecutive strike action over low pay and poor working conditions, announced the University and College Union (UCU) today (Monday, 13 November 2023.)
The North West Colleges facing strike action are:-
UCU General Secretary Jo Grady, President Elect Maxine Looby and Past President Janet Farrar will be on picket lines, at Bolton College, on Thursday. Myerscough College has shut down 5 of its 6 campuses in response to strike action being called. UCU said it is very disappointed some hold out college bosses have refused to give their staff the pay rise they deserve given the union has now called off strike action at 32 colleges with all pay awards at or above employer body, the Association of College’s, recommended 6.5%. A UCU survey of college staff shows that almost all are struggling financially (96%) because of low wages with 4 in 5 survey respondents saying their financial situation is impacting their mental health (79%). It shows many staff have to use foodbanks, as well as ration hot water and heating because their pay is so low. Government increases to English college funding mean the sector is getting £3.4bn this year, £924m more than it did three years ago (2019/20). Principal pay across the sector continues to soar. For example, Myerscough College principal’s total pay packet rose from £144k to £181k between 2021 and 2022. UCU general secretary Jo Grady said:- "Our members are being forced to take 3 days of strike action because some College bosses would rather see their staff use foodbanks than give them a cost of living pay rise. New money from the UK Government has now arrived and many colleges have done the right thing and raised pay by at least 6.5%. The funding is there, where employers can pay more, they should pay more. Members have voted to stand down action at colleges that have acted reasonably and tabled a decent pay offer. But where bosses are hoarding money, instead of investing it in staff, we will not shy away from striking."
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