Strikes at 12 colleges confirmed for late March

UCU members at 12 colleges will take a second wave of strike action later this month in an ongoing row over pay.

Staff at 11 London colleges and Sandwell College in the West Midlands will walk out on either 27 or 28 March for two or three days of strikes. The colleges affected and dates of strikes are:

The dispute has arisen following a disappointing pay offer of 1% from the employer representative, the Association of Colleges, in September. The University and College Union (UCU) said the below-inflation offer failed to address the years of pay suppression, which further education staff have endured.

Staff at all affected institutions are taking action over pay, but at some colleges the dispute also includes concerns about working conditions including holiday entitlement, workload and observation policies. Overall, 91% of staff at affected colleges voted for strike action. The average turnout was 63%. A full breakdown of results is below.

UCU general secretary Sally Hunt said: 'UCU members at these colleges made it quite clear that they were prepared to take strike action in defence of their pay and conditions. They will be walking out again later this month unless the colleges properly address their concerns. Strike action is a last resort, but staff feel they have been left with no alternative.'

* Capital City College Group comprises of the following colleges
City and Islington College
College of Haringey Enfield and North East London
Westminster Kingsway College

^ United College Group comprises of the following colleges
City of Westminster College
College of North West London

~ New City College comprises of the following colleges
Hackney Community College
Redbridge College
Tower Hamlets College