Telford teachers strike over pay

Union members at New College in Wellington were outside the King Street campus.

It was the second time teaching staff took action after bosses failed to give the nationally agreed one per cent pay rise for 2013/14.

After last week's strike, the college agreed to the rise for 2014/15 but joint unions today pushed forward with another demonstration in the hope of receiving rises for both years.

Both teaching and support staff college are represented by the National Union of Teachers, The Association of Teachers and Lecturers, NASUWT and Unison.

Adam Laurence, a film and media teacher speaking on behalf of joint unions said: "Whilst the college has changed its stance since our action commenced, we are not prepared to accept another year to go by without this notional, nationally agreed one per cent pay increase."

The one per cent pay increase was agreed nationally between the sixth form colleges' forum and relevant unions, he said.

Mr Laurence added: "The concern is that by being only one of two colleges to not honour this, New College's management may feel empowered to not implement any nationally agreed terms and conditions, ostensibly opting out of the national framework agreed between unions and colleges.

"Moreover should New College's proposed deferment of the agreed pay rise be allowed, this might embolden other colleges' management to do the same, resulting in more national strikes.

"New College's finances continue to be observed as excellent by both governors and Ofsted.

"The purchase of the Whitehouse Hotel in this fiscal year suggests that funds are available for assets.

"Sadly the true assets of New College, its staff, whose hard work can be seen by the improvement of the college's Ofsted grade, are being neither recognised nor valued."

Paul Morris from the NUT said: "Obviously the mood of the staff is very strong now because this is something that's been agreed nationally and we feel very strongly that the college can afford this pay rise. The salaries of the six senior managers has gone up by 30 per cent over the past couple of years so we believe the college can afford it."

The impact of today's action was minimal because A-level students have completed their exams.

Headteacher Fiona O'Brien said the college could not commit to the pay increase due to government cuts.

She added: "In order to continue to safeguard jobs for our very talented teaching staff, this year we can't unfortunately commit to a one per cent increase across the board to our payroll costs.

"We are, however, committed to rewarding staff wherever possible and that is why we have offered the small payment by way of an affordable way to enhance their salary and conditions this year.

"All exams are running as normal and all the A-Level lessons have completed for the year. The college is open as normal for students who wish to revise and study."