Walkout pay claim protest at colleges

Jun 4 2008 by Jule Wilson, The Journal

STAFF at the region’s colleges are staging a protest today after the latest wave of below-inflation pay offers.

Following last month’s school closures due to a strike by the largest teaching union, the National Union of Teachers, Unison members working at further education colleges are holding lunchtime protests as part of a national campaign to improve pay.

Members of Unison, the public sector union which is one of six further education unions staging the protest nationally, have joined their colleagues in rejecting the opening 2.5% pay offer.

Sheila Wilson, Unison spokesperson for Further Education Colleges, said: “With pay talks re-opening the following day, we are urging members to turn out in force to show their opposition and put pressure on the employers to get back around the negotiating table with a more realistic offer.”

Members are seeking a pay rise of 6% or £1,500, whichever is the greater, as a result of the action in order to guarantee the lowest-paid workers a minimum wage of £7.38 per hour.

Mrs Wilson said: “Our members make a real difference to local communities.

“They should be respected and rewarded with fair pay.”

Protests are taking place in South Tyneside, Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Bishop Auckland, Northumberland and Darlington.