Striking college staff accept pay offer

Months-long strike action at five colleges will end as staff were offered a pay increase.

Teaching and support staff at Teesside's Education Training Collective (ETC) have taken part in 13 days of industrial action over the past 17 months, according to union UCU.

The staff have now been awarded an increase of up to 16.5%, compared with their pay three years ago.

ETC said it was "delighted" to confirm the news and that it looked forward to working with colleagues to provide an "exceptional experience for all students".

The group runs Bede Sixth Form College and The Skills Academy in Billingham, Stockton Riverside College and NETA Training Group, and Redcar and Cleveland College.

UCU regional support officer Chris Robinson said the dispute's resolution was an "example of what is possible when members stand up, organise and fight".

The multi-year agreement will see staff receive a combined pay award of 3% from August 2022, 1% from May 2023, 6.5% from November 2023 and 3% from August 2024.

Lecturers, course leaders and support staff would also gain additional pay rises, the union said, with those at the top of their pay scales getting about an extra 3%.

Parking charges would also be removed from college campuses and staff would gain additional wellbeing days, the union said.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said she wanted to "personally congratulate" every UCU member at ETC and said the award should "serve as a warning to other college bosses".

"Pay our members fairly or face sustained strike action until we win," she said.

ETC said it was "committed to remunerating colleagues as fairly as possible without risking the financial health of the group".

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