Overwhelming vote for strike action over low pay at Hugh Baird College

Over 93% of UCU members at Hugh Baird College who voted backed strikes in an industrial ballot that closed yesterday. 98% of members also voted yes to taking industrial action short of strike action, which could include working strictly to contract and refusing to undertake additional activities. Turnout was 74%.

The ballot is over low pay and comes after management refused to improve on an offer of a 1% pay increase and a one off £500 payment. Inflation is currently over 11% making the offer a real terms pay cut.

UCU estimates the college can afford to make an improved offer and is demanding a significant uplift to pay to make up for more than a decade of below inflation pay offers and to help meet the cost of living crisis. Since 2009 pay in further education has fallen behind inflation by around 35%. Westminster recently announced the biggest increase in further education funding in more than a decade.

UCU regional official Martyn Moss said: 'Staff at Hugh Baird College have overwhelmingly voted to take strike action over management's derisory 1% offer, which is a huge real terms pay cut. We believe the college has the money to pay staff more and it now needs to come back with an improved offer that helps our members meet the cost of living crisis. If management refuses to do so, staff will choose key dates in the next academic year to take strike action.'