Sixth form college and Uni staff in London on strike
NEU members took action to defend their pay, working conditions and employment
National Education Union teacher members who work in sixth form colleges across London are on strike in the first day of action.
The rallies affected 77 colleges across England in an ongoing row over pay.
Teachers working in sixth form colleges say they have suffered a real-term pay cut of an estimated 20% since 2010.
The ballot which was closed on 11 November, saw 88.5% voting yes on a turnout of 63%.
Staff at City and Islington College were joined by Jeremy Corbyn as they continued to apply pressure for change.
Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the NEU, was also in attendance at City and Islington college this morning. She said:
“Members take strike action with great reluctance, but the effects of real-terms pay losses are simply too urgent for them to endure the situation any longer.
"These cuts are driving an exodus from the profession whilst providing little incentive to those seeking a career in teaching.
"The overwhelming majority of teachers in sixth form colleges will receive a 5% pay rise this year, which simply doesn’t deal with the effects of inflation.
"The Government is failing to act to protect the pay and living standards of our members, and it is in the gift of the education secretary to make that change.
"The message from members on this strike day is that she must do so urgently. Enough is enough.”
Kurt Hintz, Executive Principal for Capital City College Group (CCCG), which includes City and Islington College (CANDI), said:
"We are aware that a number of NEU members at CANDI Sixth Form College have taken industrial action as part of a national dispute overpay today.
"The National Joint Council leads on joint pay negotiations on behalf of its members and as a Group we do not set teachers’ pay rates independently.
"The NEU has been clear that the dispute is with the Government and not with colleges and agrees that strike action is detrimental impact to students’ education.
"We have arranged work placements and employer activities as well as online exam preparation and revision sessions for students to mitigate the impact of the strike.
"All our student support and well-being services including the library and careers advice remain open. Our students’ education has always been our number one priority. We urge the NEU and NJC to reach a settlement quickly to avoid any further disruption."
Elsewhere University staff gathered outside Kings Cross Station as they also walked out in an ongoing row over pay and conditions.
Joe Grady is the general secretary of UCU
"Our pay has been cut 25% since 2009, it's about a pension cut that could be reversed which accounts for 35% but more than that it's about insecurity in higher education, 90 000 people employed on fixed term contracts.
For the ones who are not just low paid, but are on insecure contracts, they can't settle down. They usually can't choose to live in the city they are working because their contract may not be for any longer the three months.
Not having staff around is not good for students. Staff being so demoralised that they're willing to take action and lose money is not good for students. There has to be a long term solution to this and that's what our strike is about."
The Prime Minister during PMQ's said it's simply not possible to award the types of pay rises being asked for by some unions.