Staff at a college in Liverpool are set to strike on the day many students will be taking a crucial GCSE.
Upper management at the City of Liverpool College have been told to urgently raise staff pay if they want to avoid strike action on Wednesday, May 18, the day students across the country will be taking their GCSE in English Language. The University and Colleges Union (UCU), who organised the strike, are demanding that college bosses increase pay by at least 8.5% to match the cost of living crisis.
They also say that pay for staff in further education has fallen behind inflation by 35% and that college teachers make around £9,000 less on average than their counterparts working in schools. They also warn of more action following May 18, which will see striking staff working strictly to their contracts and not picking up uncontracted extra work.
READ MORE: Teacher sacked after 30 years at Liverpool college 'devastated' as she loses appeal
Martyn Moss, Regional Official for the UCU, said: "We urge employers to do the right thing and give staff a pay rise so strike action can be avoided. Our members take huge pride in educating and supporting students, and striking during exams is a last resort, but staff are rightly outraged that their bosses have repeatedly held down pay.
"Now as inflation and energy costs soar, bosses urgently need to raise pay so we can avoid disruption to crucial GCSE English exams."
Students at the college's five Liverpool campuses are set to be affected. Staff will also be striking at five other colleges in the North West, including Burnley College and Oldham College.
Elaine Bowker, the CEO and principal of the City of Liverpool College, said: "Whilst we are disappointed that this action has been planned to coincide with this year’s first GCSE English paper, we want to assure our students and their parents/carers that we have put measures in place to ensure there is no disruption to students and their exams.
"We know just how much work our students have put in throughout the year to prepare, and it’s incredibly important to us that they are given the best possible chance of success. There will be no changes to any exam arrangements and all students will receive the same high standards that they expect from us year-round. We are grateful to all of our staff for their continued efforts in pulling together to put our students first."
