Staff to strike at Darlington College

Staff will walkout on Tuesday 6 December, Wednesday 7 December and Monday 12 December following the results of the ballot in which 95% of those that voted said yes to strike action.

The strikes come after the employer imposed a pay award of just 1% alongside a one off payment of £250. RPI is currently at 12.6% so the award means staff pay has fallen dramatically behind inflation.

UCU is demanding a pay award of at least 10% to help staff meet the cost-of-living crisis. Staff at Hopwood Hall College in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, recently won a deal worth 9.2% for the majority of college lecturers.

This summer, UCU produced a report that shows the vast majority of college staff are financially insecure, impacting the mental health of more than eight in 10 with many being forced to skip meals and restrict hot water use to save money.  Seven in 10 said they will leave the sector unless pay and working conditions improve.

UCU regional support official Chris Robinson said: 'This result shows the strength of feeling of our members who have been left with no choice but to take strike action.  Darlington College's paltry 1% pay offer, when inflation is soaring, is nothing short of a slap in the face after years of below inflation pay awards have left our members financially insecure. Management need to come back to us with a realistic offer or face disruption throughout December'.