England's biggest-ever strike ballot is on the cards, confirmed UCU, after it entered into dispute with 88 English college employers over low pay and poor working conditions.
The dispute comes as the Department for Education announced colleges will receive an additional £185m in 23/24 and £285m in 24/25. On BBC Breakfast this morning, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said the funding is "equivalent" to that provided to schools for the 6.5% teachers' pay award.
UCU will launch a strike ballot in September if employers fail to meet the union's demands. A successful ballot would pave the way for strikes this autumn at further education colleges across England.
The union is demanding a fair pay offer to help staff meet the cost-of-living crisis, a national workload agreement and binding national pay negotiations. Employer body the Association of Colleges (AoC) is now set to make a pay recommendation, having previously refused to do so.
