Workers at Kirklees College will walk out for four days once the new term starts in September in a dispute over pay.
The strikes – which are set to take place on Monday 11, Tuesday 12, Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 September – are a result of the college’s refusal to enter pay negotiations.
UNISON, which represents support staff at the college, submitted a pay claim to senior managers in November last year. The union called for a 10% increase with a minimum rise of £2000, backdated to 1 September 2022, and for the college to pay the real living wage of £10.90 per hour.
The college rejected the pay claim, saying it does not negotiate over pay.
Kirklees College has implemented the Association of Colleges’ pay recommendation for the 2022/23 academic year with staff receiving a pay increase ranging from 2.5% to 9.7% and a lump sum payment of either £500 or £750, depending on salary.
The union says the college has been forced to increase pay by over 9% for the lowest paid to keep up with the government’s national living wage (£10.42 per hour).
Kirklees College maintained it would not engage in pay bargaining – leading UNISON to ballot staff.
Over 80% of workers voted in favour of strike action.
UNISON Yorkshire and Humberside regional organiser Robin Symonds said: “College workers have suffered a decade of real-terms pay cuts and are now facing a cost of living crisis that will again force some to choose between eating or heating this winter.
“Senior managers have shown a complete lack of respect to their staff by refusing to even negotiate over pay, and workers have rightly said enough is enough.
“They are striking not just for fair pay now but for the right to negotiate in the future.
“It’s time for college management to get around the table and agree to workers having the right to bargain over pay, or risk a mass walk out in the new term.”
