Chichester College Group strikes: Crawley College staff walk out due to ‘low pay amid the cost of living crisis’

Staff at Crawley College are striking for two consecutive days this week and next, and are set to strike again from Tuesday, October 18 unless suitable pay offers are made.

University and College Union (UCU) is demanding employers make a pay offer that reflects the soaring cost of living.

Since 2009, pay in further education has “fallen behind inflation by 35%”and the pay gap between school and college teachers stands at around £9k. Unqualified college teachers earn “as little” as £21k whilst qualified teachers earn as little as £26k, according to the Union.

UCU produced a report in the summer that shows the vast majority of college staff are financially insecure, impacting the mental health of more than eight in ten staff with many being forced to “skip meals and restrict hot water use” to save money. Seven in ten said they will leave the sector unless pay and working conditions improve. Read the report here: https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/12390/Eight-in-10-staff-in-English-colleges-suffer-from-financial-insecurity

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “This strike action is entirely the fault of college bosses who would rather see disruption hit colleges than give their own staff a fair pay deal. It is a disgrace.

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“College staff are the beating heart of education and transform the lives of thousands of students every year. Yet their pay has fallen behind inflation by 35% over the last twelve years and now many are using food banks.