Lecturers at Bolton College could walk out after after union members voted “emphatically” to take action.
They joined their fellow members of the University and College Union (UCU) at various colleges all over the country in voting to strike.
The UCU says that they have taken this decision after a survey found that 96 per cent of their members were struggling with low pay.
UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “Our members have emphatically voted to strike over the low pay and high workloads that plague further education.
“Good quality education cannot be built upon the backs of staff who cannot afford to heat and eat.”
According to the UCU the Association of Colleges, the employer body for colleges around the country, has recommended a pay uplift of 6.5 per cent.
But individual colleges do not have to follow this recommendation, and many have failed to do so in previous pay rounds.
Across the country, the union says that with four in five survey respondents claimed their financial situation is impacting their mental health.
It shows that some staff in colleges around England have to use foodbanks and ration hot water and heating because their pay is so low.
Ms Grady said: “The 6.5 per cent pay recommendation by the AoC is a good start but we fear many employers will simply ignore it as they’ve done in the past.
“Where employers can pay more, they should, the money is there.
ALSO READ: University of Bolton staff to walk out in national dispute over pay
ALSO READ: New 'Job Shop' aims to create like students and locals to leading businesses
ALSO READ: First apprentice 'privileged' to join work on £20M Bolton project
“If college bosses want to avoid disruption, they need to offer realistic pay awards, address workloads, and make a commitment to binding national bargaining.”
She added: “Where colleges do the right thing, we are willing to work with them to avoid any disruption."
Bolton College says that it negotiations are yet to take place
A spokesperson said: “We are yet to enter into negotiations with our trade unions so we are unable to comment at this time.
"However, we look forward to our continued positive engagement with our trade union colleagues.”
The union’s further education committee is now set to meet to decide the next steps, which could include strike action as soon as November.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel