Strikes set at Windsor Forest Colleges as staff reject subpar pay offer

Four colleges across Berkshire and Surrey will be hit by the action: Strode's College, Windsor College, Langley College, and the Berkshire College of Agriculture. 

UCU has already called three days of strike action since the start of the year (Wednesday 14 to Friday 16 January) after management made a pay offer of just 1.7%, less than half that recommended by employer body the Association of Colleges (4%). Even with the additional £500, all staff would still be paid below the recommended rate. 

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: 'Our members are struggling to make ends meet, yet Windsor Forest Colleges Group thinks it's okay to pay them less than that recommended by its own employer body.  

'It's simply not good enough and we will be forced to escalate the dispute and strike later this month, unless management comes back to the table with an improved offer that recognises the excellent education and training their staff provide to students across Berkshire and Surrey.'