Latest on Association of College's pay recommendation for England FE

Following the meeting, the union received AoC's final recommendation yesterday [Thursday 10 October] which is a 2.5% rise or £750 (whichever is greater). The full response can be read here. The joint trade unions' claim submitted in March was for 10% or £3,000 (whichever is greater) and can be read in full here.

You do not need me to tell you that this is an insulting recommendation. Particularly in the context of the hard work you do, and the offer that schoolteachers received. It is hugely disappointing and fails to recognise the value and contribution that you and colleagues working in the sector make. A pay increase of 2.5% just will not make up for years of below-inflation awards or remedy the £9k pay gap between school and college teachers.

This once again demonstrates that the way pay in our colleges is determined is broken and must be replaced. We know that over half of college employers ignore the AoC recommendation anyway as the outcomes of national negotiations are non-binding. The system is failing staff, students, and the communities and employers that depend on further education (FE). We need fully-funded and binding pay increases for all staff in FE. That is why UCU is campaigning for a New Deal for FE.

Please sign our petition for national bargaining here and get involved in the campaign to put pressure on the employers and the government for the urgent change we need.

In solidarity

Jo Grady
UCU general secretary