Respect FE industrial action

In the midst of a cost of living crisis and after pay for college workers has already fallen 35% behind inflation, employers chose to offer a paltry 2.5%.

This is whilst eight in ten of our FE members tell us financial security is impacting their mental health and after English colleges received their biggest funding increase in over a decade.

Each and every one of our members taking strike action is a credit to our union and their profession--as are those who won't be taking action, but who I know will be supporting them.

Our Respect FE campaign has begun to turn the dial on employers who think they can get away with paying poverty wages, and a number of our branches have already secured excellent deals. I am confident that by taking action and continuing to build our union, more are to come.

As we go into this period of action, I look forward to being on the picket lines with our inspiring FE members, demanding our fair share.

Please do keep in touch with what is happening on strike days via UCU's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram social media channels. We will be using the hashtag #RespectFE.

In solidarity

Jo Grady
UCU general secretary