Staff at Myerscough College win pay rise of up to 12.8%

UCU members at Myerscough only won recognition at the college last year making this year the first time it has had to bargain with the union. UCU said the pay deal is the best staff have seen in years, showing the importance of unionising.

The full pay deal:

• 6.5% backdated from Monday 1 January 2024
• a further 1% from Monday 1 July 2024
• a commitment to award all eligible staff with an incremental uplift from Thursday 1 August 2024, which will apply to nine in 10 UCU members and is worth £1,277 on average 
• an increase of over £3,750 to the starting salary for college lecturers.

The combined package is equivalent to an increase of up to 12.8%. The college has also committed to a joint review to the terms and conditions of learning support advisors who are currently only paid the minimum wage and to "assess the feasibility" of moving all staff with more than a year's service onto a permanent contract.

Staff at Myerscough took three days of strike action last November (2023) and called off a further four days of strike action in February (2024) after management agreed to meaningful negotiations at Acas.

UCU regional support official Daniel Maguire said: 'This incredible win is the best pay award at Myerscough in years. It is down to the incredible solidarity of our members and shows what can be achieved when workers unionise and stand together. College employers in the North West and across England now need to look to Myerscough and see what can be achieved when you engage meaningfully with your workforce.'