It is not only about ASUU industrial action that has lingered for over 8 months and the renewed initiative to disintegrate the striking lecturers by polarising the union, College and University Lecturers, UCU joined in solidarity by their students are also on strike across England.
The strikes will take place over the next four weeks
Around 4,000 members of the University and College Union (UCU), at colleges across England, have embsked on 10 days strike.
The strike action was launched on September 26, 2022, in a dispute over pay.
The union said staff have been left “with no other option” as college bosses “refuse to raise pay”. Staff are picketing outside colleges each morning of the strikes.
Why are college and university lecturers striking?
The union said that since 2009, pay in further education has fallen behind inflation by 35 per cent and the pay gap between school and college teachers stands at around £9,000.
89.9 per cent of members in the UCU voted in favour of industrial action.
Prior to the strike action, staff were initially offered a one per cent deal, which was rejected, followed by a revised 2.5 per cent.
UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “College staff deliver excellent education but, over the last 12 years, their pay has fallen behind inflation by 35 per cent and now thousands are skipping meals, restricting energy use, and considering leaving the sector altogether.
“This strike action will continue for 10 days unless college bosses wake up to this crisis, stop dining off the goodwill of their workforce, and make a serious pay offer.”
When are they striking?
The strikes will take place over four weeks in the first half-term of the academic year. The full dates of strike action are:
Week 1: Monday, September 26, Tuesday, September 27, and Wednesday, September 28 (three days)
Week 2: Thursday, October 6, and Friday, October 7 (two days)
Week 3: Monday, October 10, and Tuesday, October 11 (two days)
Week 4: Tuesday, October 18, Wednesday, October 19, and Thursday October 20 (three days)
The industrial dispute follows a summer of strikes across other sectors, including rail, post, and telecoms.
These walkouts are set to continue alongside the college and university strikes in the coming weeks.