NEU members who teach in sixth form colleges in England have
voted to take strike action in response to an offer from the
Sixth Form Colleges Association (SFCA).
Sixth form college teachers have seen a 20% cut in real terms pay
since 2010. The SFCA’s offer would see the majority
of teachers receive a 5% pay award, rising to 8.9% for a
small minority.*
With one voice, NEU sixth form teachers have today declared that
‘enough is enough’ and are calling on the Secretary of State for
Education to fully fund their pay demand of an inflation-plus
rise.
The question put was "Are you prepared to take part in strike
action in furtherance of this dispute?"
88.5% voted YES on a turnout of 63%.
The ballot opened on 18 October 2022 and closed on 11 November
2022.
The formal ballot was a combined vote across all affected sixth
form colleges and is likely to see a national strike in the
sector for the first time since 2016. The first planned day of
strike action is Wednesday 30 November.
Commenting on the result, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General
Secretary of the National Education Union,
said:
“The close of this ballot is well timed, as it is just a few days
ahead of the Chancellor’s latest budget statement on 17 November.
It is hoped that will quickly use her
influence as education secretary to make the case for sixth form
colleges.
“The sector has suffered real-terms pay cuts in the region
of 20% since 2010. Further below inflation pay increases are
simply unacceptable to our members. Strike action is always taken
with great regret, but the sentiment of this ballot result is
clear: enough is enough.
“The government must listen and take notice of the effect
real-terms pay cuts are having on our members, and, if we
continue down this unsustainable path, the consequences that
their leaving the profession will have on both the sector and the
young people they teach."
Editor’s Note
*The SFCA offered to increase pay from 1 September 2022 as
follows:
Increase pay point 1 by 8.9%;
Increase pay point 2 by 8%;
Increase pay point 3 by 7%;
Increase pay point 4 by 6.5%;
Increase pay point 5 by 5.5%;
An increase of 5% on all other pay points and allowances.
