Huge 94% strike vote at Warrington & Vale Royal College over frozen pay

The huge vote reflects staff anger at having their pay frozen for almost a year (from Thursday 1 August 2024). Warrington is now the only college in the North West that has refused to make a pay offer this academic year.

Throughout the past year the college principal has refused to meet with UCU to discuss pay even though the college is forecasted to make a multi-million pound surplus this year (£2.3m) and has over £16m in reserve. Staff are now prepared to strike if the college continues to refuse to value its workforce.

The college has already been in the news recently over plans to sack almost 20 staff.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: 'It is completely unacceptable for Warrington's principal to refuse her staff any pay award whatsoever this year. Every other principal in the region clearly views this as beyond the pale, and it risks Warrington & Vale Royal becoming a lone rogue employer.

'She now needs to look at the incredible 94% yes vote for strike action and begin talking to us immediately if she wants to avoid disruption on campus.'