College tutors to strike over pay and conditions

Students at a Cornish college are facing disruption to their classes as tutors announce strike action.

The University and College Union (UCU) said some staff at Truro and Penwith College would walk out on Monday in a dispute over pay and conditions.

UCU already called three days of strike action in January after the college gave a pay award of 2%, which the union said was half that recommended by employer body the Association of Colleges, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

A spokesperson for the college said it was "disappointed" by the strike action but it would continue to work with the union to try to resolve the dispute.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said its members provided "excellent education and training" but were not given "meaningful time" to plan their lessons and assess students' work.

She added: "Truro and Penwith College bosses are refusing to pay them properly, imposing an award that is half that recommended by the employer body."

A union spokesperson said: "College management claims the college can't afford anything more than the 2% it has imposed, which amounts to a real terms pay cut, because of financial strain.

"But it is no longer in deficit and is forecast to make a surplus after the government body responsible for funding education providers, the Education and Skills Funding Agency, moved it from a 'requires improvement' financial health rating to 'outstanding'."

The college spokesperson said: "We respect the right of staff to take lawful industrial action and also recognise the sector-wide funding challenges facing further education."

They said the college continued to lobby government for long-term investment "so it can continue to transform lives" and it would try to minimise disruption to student's timetables and would inform them directly of changes.

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