Unions representing college staff have voted in favour of accepting a pay increase of 1 per cent for 2016-17.
Two-thirds of the University and College Union’s (UCU) members who took part in an e-ballot voted to accept the final proposal from the Association of Colleges (AoC). And the AoC has now confirmed that all of the other unions representing FE staff - ATL, Unison, GMB and Unite - have accepted the pay increase.
In February, thousands of FE staff from more than 200 colleges walked out after the AoC did not table a pay rise on behalf of its member colleges. At the time UCU general secretary Sally Hunt said that the pay situation in the sector was “beyond what is survivable”.
But the news that UCU members have accepted this year’s final offer means they will not be taking national strike action in the coming months over pay. The AoC has also agreed to address concerns over gender pay gaps and the use of “precarious” contracts in the sector.
Call to invest in further education
Andrew Harden, head of further education at the UCU, said: “Members voted in favour of accepting the AoC’s final offer on pay, gender pay gaps and the use of precarious contracts. We will be working with the AoC nationally on all these important issues. Having voted to accept the AoC’s offer, members will now expect all colleges to implement the pay increase.
“It is essential that colleges honour the AoC’s recommended increase, as failure to do so would undermine the credibility of the national bargaining process. We will also be working with the AoC and other sector stakeholders to call on the government to invest in further education so colleges can recruit and retain the best teachers.”
In most cases, the increase will be applied from 1 August 2016. All staff earning below £25,000 will be entitled to a flat increase of £250.
Karen Sanders, director of employment policy and services at the AoC, said: “We are pleased to see that all unions of the national joint forum have now formally recognised the pay recommendation we proposed to the sector.
“The recommendation was made to members after extensive consultation and is line with awards made to other public services. A skilled and motivated college workforce is essential for the quality of education and training provided to students.”
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