College lecturers in Wales ballot for strike action over pay

The dispute has been caused by fforwm's refusal to implement a significant step in the new national pay agreement for lecturers in Wales. This agreement was finalised last year following three years of negotiation supported by the Welsh Assembly Government. It established a new national pay scale for lecturers in Welsh colleges and meant that there would be pay parity between lecturers and schoolteachers.

College employers say that WAG has not provided them with the money to implement salary progression to the top point of the new salary scale. They also dispute the date at which lecturers can expect to progress.

Both sides have agreed to talks with WAG officials to try and resolve the dispute. However fforwm have made it clear in a letter to the Minister that there is no flexibility in their position.

Guy Stoate, chair of UCU Wales FE committee said: 'Lecturers are appalled that colleges should effectively tear up the national pay agreement in the first full year of its operation. WAG has made it clear that the new pay scale including all its progression elements has been fully funded and the money consolidated in college budgets. The money is there. The colleges must pay up.

'Lecturers want to provide a quality learning experience for students. The last thing we want is a strike. In fact there has been no national industrial action in Welsh FE colleges for almost a decade.  Therefore the employers should understand that this ballot reflects profound concern and anger amongst our members in Wales. 

'The new lecturers' pay structure is a major achievement. It was designed specifically to promote good quality teaching. By refusing to implement it in full, the employers are undermining the Welsh Assembly's ambitions for a high quality in further education. UCU members will not let this happen.'

The ballot will begin on Thursday 6 March and close on 20 March. Should members vote to take action, industrial action will begin with a one-day strike and lobby of the Welsh Assembly on Wednesday 16 April.

The one-day strike will be followed by escalating strike action if no settlement is achieved. Lecturers will also withdraw from participation in institutional self assessment procedures. This will affect college preparations for inspections and may impact on funding but will minimise the effect of action on students