The latest workers in England to consider a strike action to seek an increase in their pay are teachers in sixth-form colleges. The National Education Union (NEU) – the union that represents most teachers in the sixth-form college sector – reported that members voted overwhelmingly for a pay rise that exceeds RPI, which stood at 11.7% at the time of first making the claim. The union argues that the pay offer of a 5% increase would not protect members’ living standards. As a result, the NEU has scheduled a formal ballot for industrial action from Tuesday to 11th November.
NEU joint general secretary, Dr Mary Bousted, stated that sixth-form college teachers have experienced a real-terms pay cut of 20% since 2010. Bousted added that no one wants a strike action, but below-inflation pay increases have made a significant impact on their salaries year after year. Bousted implored the government to address what they consider to be a serious problem for the sector, adding that a failure to award a fully funded above-inflation pay increase in the sixth-form college sector would lead to a further drain in staff and would diminish the quality of education for young people.
Graham Baird, director of HR services at the Sixth Form Colleges Association, expressed his support for NEU’s call for a significant increase in teachers’ pay, adding that despite receiving significantly less funding in comparison to schools, sixth-form colleges have managed to match the School Teachers’ Review Body award. Baird further stated that this matches their members’ affordability boundaries and that additional funding needs to come from the government to ensure they deserve improved pay.
The NEU and NASUWT teachers’ union in schools are also preparing for a formal industrial action ballot before the autumn half-term holiday. Meanwhile, the University and College Union is balloting university staff over industrial action, which is already underway in the further education sector, where staff have already taken part in ten days of action. The Royal College of Nursing is likewise balloting 300,000 members over pay and staff shortages that may lead to strike action.
