Strike action
We cannot and we will not accept a two-tier pay system in sixth form colleges when this is precisely the outcome we have taken strike action to avoid.
Since the last day of strike action, the Sixth Form Colleges Association has made a revised offer to the teaching unions. Teachers working in academised sixth form colleges have been offered 5.5% for the academic year. Teachers in non-academised sixth-form colleges have been offered 3.5% for September to April, and 5.5% from April onwards, with the effect that they will lag behind their academised peers by 2% for seven months, creating two tiers of pay for the same job.
The cost of meeting that additional bill is estimated to be £1.5 million – just 0.5% of the £300m additional funding provided to further education in the Chancellor’s most recent Budget.
We have been disappointed that the constructive proposals put forward to the SFCA to address the pay injustice that their offer creates, were not seriously entertained by them.
In the absence of meaningful counter-proposals, industrial action went ahead. We would hope that the SFCA would make efforts to avert further strikes and enter into meaningful dialogue.
Write to your MP
Please write to your MP and ask them to use their voice in parliament to lobby the government for the pay rise sixth form college teachers deserve.