Staff at Oldham College are to take part in ‘unprecedented’ strike action, according to the University and College Union (UCU).
The union has said around 4,000 staff at 29 colleges will take up to 10 days of strike action in a dispute over low pay during the cost-of-living crisis.
Staff at Oldham College will be picketing for three days from Tuesday, October 4, to Thursday, October 6.
Staff at the college have previously held pickets in May, June, July, and September this year.
Speaking earlier this month, Emma Timmins, the UCU branch chair at Oldham College, said: “Staff can’t afford to keep accepting below inflation pay rises.
"Bills go up, wages don’t and at the end of the day the college can afford to do better for their staff.
“That’s why we’re here to convince them that it’s time to prioritise the people that are supporting students and educating people in Oldham and trying to give them the best opportunities.
“Two per cent pay rises are not enough, we’re looking at inflation of 20 per cent from January. Enough is enough.”
Nationwide, UCU strikes begin on Monday, September 26 with pickets planned at colleges across the country for four weeks.
The union is demanding employers make pay offers that reflect the rising cost of living.
According to the UCU, pay in further education has fallen behind inflation by 35 per cent since 2009, with the pay gap between school and college teachers at around £9,000.
In June, employer representative the Association of Colleges made a pay recommendation of 2.5 per cent.
However, the UCU rejected this as it is below inflation.
Staff at Oldham College are picketing for an 8.5 per cent pay rise for workers.
This summer, the UCU produced a report that shows 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.
UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “Strike action on this scale in further education is unprecedented.
“But our members have been left with no other option, they are being pushed into poverty by college bosses who refuse to raise pay to help them meet the cost-of-living crisis.
“College staff deliver excellent education but over the last twelve years their pay has fallen behind inflation by 35 per cent and now thousands are skipping meals, restricting energy use, and considering leaving the sector altogether.
“This strike action will continue for 10 days unless college bosses wake up to this crisis, stop dining off the goodwill of their workforce and make a serious pay offer.”
Oldham College did not respond to a request for comment.
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