Sixth Form College Employees Initiate Strike Action Regarding Pay Dispute

Educators at three sixth form institutions in Sussex have commenced the initial phase of three planned one-day industrial actions concerning remuneration. Approximately 8,000 learners enrolled at Varndean College, Brighton Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College (BHASVIC), and Collyer’s in Horsham are experiencing disruption due to the National Education Union (NEU) strike activity scheduled for Thursday. Personnel at 32 colleges throughout England are participating in a walkout stemming from a disagreement regarding reductions in their salaries and financial provisions, particularly when contrasted with maintained schools, according to the union. A representative for the Department for Education stated: “Sixth form colleges are responsible for the setting of appropriate pay for their workforce and for managing their own industrial relations.” The NEU, having secured a 97% member vote endorsing strike action, indicated its expectation that the majority of teaching personnel would participate in the strike, with two additional days of industrial action scheduled for 3-4 December. BHASVIC reported that in-person classes have been suspended on each of the three strike days. The college also noted that students would retain access to certain campus facilities, including the library, main hall, and canteen, to pursue their independent academic work. Principal William Baldwin commented: “Strike action is always a last resort, particularly for our staff who are singularly dedicated to the success of all our students. “In the summer, [the government] extended a 5.5% pay rise to primary, secondary and teachers who teach in school sixth forms and 16 to 19 academies, but they did not extend those pay rises to my teaching staff – and that is not good enough.” Numerous schools across England had previously allocated funds for salary increments of approximately 3% starting in September. The government declared in July its intention to supply an additional £1.2bn to augment this to the 5.5% proposal; however, sixth form colleges were excluded from this provision. A union representative stated: “This means that colleges who have seen their funding cut in real terms year after year, will either be unable to fund the same pay rise as other teachers or face unacceptable cuts to their budgets.” A statement from the Department for Education conveyed: “The October budget provided an additional £300m revenue funding for further education to ensure young people are developing the skills this country needs. “The department will set out in due course how this funding will be distributed.”