Barnet & Southgate College staff told to vote to strike by UCU president & general secretary

The ballot opened on Tuesday 14 June and will close on Friday 15 July. Staff are being balloted after college management refused to offer any more than 2% for the previous two financial years (1% 2020/21 and 1% 2021/22). UCU is demanding a significant uplift to help meet the cost of living crisis.

Inflation is currently 11.7% and staff at English colleges have seen pay fall behind inflation by 35% since 2009. In 2021 the Westminster government announced an 8.4% increase in funding targeted at those in England aged 16-17 years old, the biggest rise in funding for further education in more than decade and coming after £240m in additional funding came into effect in 2020-21

Jo and Janet are meeting with staff at Barnet campus today from 12.30pm before heading to Southgate campus for 2pm.

Staff at over 30 other colleges across England are also currently being balloted over low pay.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: 'Staff at Barnet and Southgate College are voting yes to strike action because they are sick and tired of being undervalued  by their employer. The current offer of 2% is well below inflation and will do nothing to help staff through a devastating cost of living crisis. All of those who work in further education need to push back against a college that does not value its staff and force management to come back to the table with a better offer.'