Plymouth City College warned that crunch talks are the last chance to avoid further strike action

If the union fails to receive an offer, staff will strike on the following days:

• Tuesday 18 October
• Wednesday 19 October
• Thursday 20 October.

Staff at the college have already taken seven days of strike action over the past three weeks in a dispute centred on low pay. UCU is demanding Plymouth makes a pay offer that reflects the soaring cost of living. In June, employer representative the Association of Colleges made a pay recommendation of just 2.5%. RPI inflation is now at 12.3%. 

Despite the three weeks of strike action, management has so far refused to meaningfully improve its offer to staff.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady visited picket lines at the college earlier this week to show management that the full weight of the union is behind its members fighting for fair pay.

UCU Plymouth City College branch joint-chair and senior negotiator Mike Mallett said: 'All we are asking management at Plymouth City College to do is to revisit its budget plans with a view to delaying a few projects while the economy settles down.

'We've said for years that sub-inflation pay awards are storing up trouble for the future, well now the future is here and the trouble isn't going to go away. College leaders need to rethink their plans and dig deep to help our members out this year to avoid further disruption.

'Unless we receive a meaningful offer from management at Monday's talks our members will be out on strike on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.'