Shrewsbury sixth form teachers strike over pay
Sixth form teachers in Shrewsbury are walking out today in a row over pay and funding.
Last updated 28th Nov 2024
Members of the National Education Union (NEU) at Shrewsbury Colleges Group are walking out today after voting in favour of strike action earlier this month.
It's in a row over pay and funding, with the NEU saying pay 5.5% rises for teachers in academies hasn't been guaranteed for non-academised organisations.
Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: "The recent comments of Jacqui Smith that she would wish to see college pay rises match those within schools are welcome and we remain hopeful that the Government will guarantee that colleges may utilise additional funding now allocated to them for staff pay.
"Our dispute has highlighted the lack of care shown to the further education sector as a whole and the urgent need to bring up college staff pay up to at least the same level as in schools. We remain concerned by the disregard shown by the Department for Education (DfE) to the longstanding, effective collective bargaining arrangements in sixth form colleges and would expect that this situation would not arise in future.
"No teacher wants to take strike action. The NEU remains open to negotiation."
The Shrewsbury College Group issues a statement on its website: "The college will take action to minimise the strike's impact on students across the three days.
"Students who have an assessment, exam, or trip will still be expected to attend college to complete the exam or assessment or go on the trip on these dates in November and December. All lessons will be registered.
"The overwhelming majority of lessons will take place as usual. Therefore, all students should attend college as normal unless informed otherwise by the relevant Curriculum Director."
A DfE spokesperson said: “Ensuring people have the skills they need for the future is crucial to this government’s number one mission to grow the economy. We recognise the vital role that further education, including sixth-form colleges, play in this.
“Sixth-form colleges are responsible for the setting of appropriate pay for their workforce and for managing their own industrial relations.
“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.”