The Association of Colleges is standing firm on its refusal to make a pay proposal for next year, as doing so will “let the government off the hook”.
AoC chief David Hughes is also calling on unions to halt strike action during the crucial exam period while negotiations continue.
The latest meeting between the five unions from the National Joint Forum (NJF) and AoC today resulted in the association doubling down on its decision not to offer a pay recommendation for 2023/24, explaining that a 15 per cent demand was a “perfectly reasonable” ask but colleges could not afford “anywhere near what the unions are asking for”.
Following the first meeting last month, the AoC took the unprecedented decision not to make an offer unless ministers intervened to stump up more cash.
