National Education Union teacher members across 32 non-academised sixth form colleges in England have taken part in today’s strike action.
Whilst academised sixth form colleges have been included within the Government’s guaranteed funding for the 5.5% pay award for teachers, this has not been the case for non-academised sixth form colleges. Members working in non-academised sixth form colleges have been on strike calling on Government to ensure they receive an above-inflation pay award consistent with the rest of the profession.
Further strike days are planned for 3 December and 4 December unless the Government provides a resolution to this dispute.
Commenting on the strike, Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
"Today’s strong turnout shows the strength of feeling amongst out members at this clearly farcical situation. No teacher wants to take strike action. However, in the face of the failure by Government to match the funding for a comparable pay award to the 5.5% pay deal seen elsewhere in academised sixth form colleges and schools they have been left with no choice.
“Government needs to resolve this matter for the benefit of our members and all teachers who work in non-academised colleges. There needs to be no doubt that failure to do so will result in further action. The NEU has made every effort to press the case with Government for a fair, funded pay award for every college. We stand willing to find a resolution to our dispute, but our members will not hesitate to fight on if Government continue to avoid responsibility for the situation. There is no pay justice without the same pay deal applying to all”.