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Strike ballots open in Welsh colleges

21 September 2018

The dispute has arisen after Collegau Cymru rejected the joint trade unions' pay claim for a rise of 7.5% or £1,500, instead making a final offer of 1%. The unions said that the employers' offer would do nothing to address the falling value of staff pay in further education, and that above-inflation pay rises are needed to ensure colleges can continue to recruit and retain staff.

UCU began balloting members at 12 colleges* on 24 September. UCAC (Undeb Cenedlaethol Athrawon Cymru) will also be balloting their members from 28 September, and NASUWT, UNISON, GMB and NEU will be consulting members in the coming weeks about potential industrial action over pay.

UCU is also balloting members over workload issues.

UCU Wales Official Margaret Phelan said: 'Staff working in our colleges have had enough of seeing their wages held down time and again. Above-inflation pay rises are needed to ensure that colleges can continue to recruit and retain staff.

'The employers' 1% pay offer does nothing to address this decline in the value of our members' pay, so we have been left with no option but to ballot for strike action.'

*Bridgend
CAVC
Cambria
Gwent
Coleg Sirgar (inc. Ceredigion)
Cymoedd
Gower College
Grŵp Llandrillo (inc. Coleg Menai, Coleg Llandrilo and Coleg Meirion Dwyfor)
Grŵp NPTC
Merthyr
Pembrokeshire
St Davids

Last updated: 26 September 2018