There were raised eyebrows when delegates voted narrowly to pass a motion from the West Country which said pay offers should be accepted only if they are binding on all colleges.
While colleges in Northern Ireland are happy to negotiate on this basis, most reckon it would take legislation to get English institutions to do the same. So, in effect, the motion means lecturers can look forward to getting no pay rises from now on.
But don’t panic. I hear that, just like last year’s pledge not to work with 14 to 16 pupils unless lecturers get pay parity, the motion will be ignored.
