Support staff at Barnsley College will strike on three dates in October and November, UNISON says today (Thursday).
Staff will walk out next Wednesday (18 October), Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 November as part of an ongoing pay dispute.
UNISON balloted staff for industrial action in May. At this point, the college proposed a change to its pay structure – but said it would only be implemented if UNISON ended the dispute.
The college refuses to negotiate pay locally, meaning the proposals were never put to UNISON as a pay offer – and the union was only told they’d been implemented via talks through arbitration service Acas.
The changes were introduced without negotiation or consultation with UNISON.
The union says staff are still waiting for a decent pay offer from the college and have been left with no choice but to escalate their action.
UNISON is particularly frustrated at the outgoing principal’s refusal to negotiate over pay during a cost of living crisis, which is leaving staff struggling to make ends meet while he’s paid a six figure salary.
The union says the college must come back to the table to resolve the dispute.
UNISON Yorkshire and Humberside regional organiser Robin Symonds said: “Barnsley College refuses to talk to the union, so staff have no other choice but to take further strike action.
“Support staff at the college do a fantastic job. It’s time their hard work was recognised and their pay increased to help them deal with the rising cost of living.
“The college refuses to negotiate pay with UNISON – staff cannot simply rely on the college being generous to make sure they’re paid enough to cope with the soaring costs we’re seeing.
“The outgoing principal has made no effort to clean up this mess before his departure. It’s time for somebody else to join negotiations and find a solution.”
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