Strike action announced at Burnley College by UCU

Staff at Burnley College are set to walk out for two days during college induction weeks in September unless employers agree to raise staff pay, the University and College Union (UCU) has announced today.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

UCU says college leaders must act now if they want to avoid a repeat of the disruption of strike action in May and June, which impacted thousands students.

The union is demanding the colleges increase pay to meet the cost of living crisis. Since 2009 pay in further education has fallen behind inflation by 35% and the pay gap between school and college teachers stands at around £9k.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In 2021, the Westminster government announced an 8.4% increase in funding targeted at those in England aged 16-17 years old, the biggest rise in funding for further education

Burnley College staff could strike in September according to the UCUBurnley College staff could strike in September according to the UCU
Burnley College staff could strike in September according to the UCU

in more than decade and coming after £240m in additional funding announced in 2018.

Pay rises were agreed earlier in the year at Hopwood Hall College and Bury College, and UCU is calling for employers across the region to follow their lead and agree to improved pay offers.

Read More
Burnley College and Nelson and Colne College staff could strike on GCSE exam day

UCU regional official Martyn Moss said: “Industrial action is a last resort but following the repeated refusal of employers to give staff a proper pay rise we have been left with no

choice but to announce further strikes.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"That staff at these colleges are prepared to lose another two days’ pay, shows the strength of feeling amongst staff and we encourage employers to listen.

"College leaders must not force staff to bear the brunt of soaring inflation. Leaders have until September to do the right thing and give staff a decent pay rise or face strike action.”

Related topics: