Strike off at Hopwood Hall College after staff win pay rise of up to 7.5%

For 2021/22 the offer amounts to more than 6% (6.49%) and over 7% (7.52%) for lecturers on the lowest salaries. The deal comes as another four colleges in the region walk out today and Friday. UCU has urged the other employers to make improved pay offers and avoid any further disruption.

The four colleges facing strike action are:

• Burnley College  
• City of Liverpool College
• Manchester College
• Oldham College.

Staff have been on picket lines at college entrances since 8am today and will be on picket lines at 8am on Friday (10 June). Staff from the four colleges are also holding a rally at 12pm on Friday in Sackville Gardens.

UCU is demanding a significant uplift to pay to make up for more than a decade of below inflation pay offers and to help its members meet the cost of living crisis. Since 2009 pay in further education has fallen at least 25% behind inflation and the pay gap between school and college teachers stands at around £9k. Westminster recently announced the biggest increase in further education funding in more than a decade.

The union says employers have a duty to reward their staff fairly and to prevent them being hit even harder by the cost of living crisis.

Hopwood Hall and the four other colleges already saw a round of strike action last month in this dispute over low pay. But a strike at Bury College was called off after a significant pay offer.

UCU regional official Martyn Moss said: 'We welcome Hopwood Hall College's pay offer to our members in recognition of their dedication to the college and its students. We are calling on the four colleges across the North West of England facing strike action today and later this week to look to Hopwood Hall and Bury College. Staff shouldn't be forced to bear the brunt of soaring inflation and rising prices. Colleges need to work with us to get staff the pay rise they deserve so we can avoid any further disruption.'