The dispute between the University and College Union (UCU) and Lewisham and Southwark colleges in London has been resolved.

The two sides at the colleges, which are part of the NCG group of colleges, have agreed that staff will receive a pay rise of £350 (pro rata for part-time staff). NCG has also agreed to change how strike pay deductions are calculated in future. This comes after staff took a total of four days’ strike action in May and September this year. 

Staff and management have said they were committed to reviewing incremental pay progression to improve consistency at all NCG colleges. Employees at NCG institutions in Carlisle, Kidderminster and Lancashire currently receive the incremental pay progression, but those in Newcastle and London do not. 

UCU regional official Iain Owens said: “UCU members at Lewisham and Southwark colleges have accepted the new package on offer and we now want to work with NCG to get them onto the pay-progression system enjoyed by NCG employees elsewhere in the country.”

Chris Payne, interim chief executive of NCG, said: “We’re pleased to have found a solution to this issue and we’re committed to further developing the long-term relationship with our trade union partners.”