A bolstered pay award has been secured for staff at West Thames College – its second this year.
The University and College Union (UCU) has reported that a 5 per cent consolidated pay award across the board has been agreed for 2022/23.
According to the union, a 3 per cent pay award was agreed in December and backdated to the start of term. However, it says that further negotiations have secured another 2 per cent, which will also be backdated to the start of term.
Adam Lincoln, UCU regional officer, said the deal was as a result of “determined organising” from members.
“We are always willing to negotiate fairly with management and we thank the college leadership team for their serious engagement with UCU in negotiating this agreement.
“The deal we have reached shows exactly what can be achieved when our members stand together.”
Lincoln said that there was “no excuse” for college employers in “ignoring the severity of the cost of living crisis facing staff”.
UCU members across 26 colleges took part in strike action in the autumn over a pay dispute, although West Thames was not one of those whose staff took to the picket line.
The Association of Colleges recommended a 2.5 per cent pay increase last summer, having upped its offer from 2.25 per cent.
At the time, AoC chief executive David Hughes explained that “the money is simply not there”, but recognised the increase is “both inadequate compared with inflation and also on the cusp of what is affordable for most colleges”.
The UCU had been lobbying for a 10 per cent rise with a minimum uplift of £2,000.
West Thames College has been approached for comment.
Your thoughts