Strikes suspended at Abingdon and Witney College to allow for talks

he suspension leaves 24 colleges in the England wide dispute over fair pay and conditions, with strike action set to go ahead at other colleges on Wednesday 14, Thursday 15 and Friday 16 January (2026). 

The proposal at Abingdon and Witney College include: 

• 4% pay rise for all staff 
• Removal of the current average annual teaching hours agreement, and replacement with a maximum number of annual teaching hours 
• An action plan to follow up on staff workload concerns 
• Closure of the college for two weeks over Christmas so staff will not need to take annual leave 

UCU is urging management at the remaining colleges to come back to the table and make fair pay offers that help close the pay gap between school and college teachers so it can call off the strike action at other colleges. 

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: 'I want to congratulate our members at Abingdon and Witney College for fighting for improvements to their pay and conditions. It is down to the determination and solidarity of our members which shows what can be achieved when workers unionise and stand together. 

'To avoid disruption on campus this week, leaders at colleges where we are still in dispute need to make meaningful offers and show they value their staff.'