The University and College Union (UCU) has today announced that strike action at Barnet and Southgate College planned for tomorrow has been suspended to allow for further talks.
Staff have already taken three days of strike action in the dispute over excessive workload and management's paltry 2% pay award for the previous two financial years (1% 2020/21 and 1% 2021/2). Inflation is currently at 12.6% and UCU is demanding a significant uplift to help staff meet the cost of living crisis.
This summer, UCU produced a report that showed the vast majority of college staff are financially insecure, impacting the mental health of more than eight in 10, with many being forced to skip meals and restrict hot water use to save money. Seven in 10 said they will leave the sector unless pay and working conditions improve.
