Stafford College closed as staff strike across the West Midlands
Dozens of staff at colleges across the Midlands have staged a walk-out today in a row over pay – causing one college to close.
Lecturers, librarians, technicians, cleaners and caretakers who belong to Unison and the University and College Union (UCU) are among those taking part in the one-day strike.
In the West Midlands, colleges affected include Walsall College, South Staffordshire College, Birmingham Metropolitan College – which has a campus in Stourbridge – and South and City College Birmingham.
Bosses at Stafford College last night made the decision to close today due to the walk-out of their staff. South Staffordshire College remains open.
The protest is against a recommended pay freeze by the Association of Colleges.
It follows several years where staff have had low pay rises, resulting in a real-terms pay cut for some of up to 17 per cent, according to the unions.
Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said: "Some colleges have promised their employees a pay rise, but the vast majority are determined not to budge from the zero per cent recommended. We urge the association to follow the example of those more enlightened colleges who want to come back to the table to try to resolve this dispute.
"After years of pay freezes and real terms pay cuts, staff have been left with no choice but to take action to win a fair deal. It's time for the college employers to do the right thing, get back around the table and make a decent pay offer."
At South and City College Birmingham there were due to be picket lines at the Digbeth Campus, Handsworth Campus, Hall Green Campus and Bordesley Campus, while at Birmingham Metropolitan College staff are due to man picket lines at the Matthew Boulton Campus.
UCU general secretary Sally Hunt added: "A pay freeze is an insult to the commitment and enthusiasm of staff working in further education."
There is also due to be a Birmingham rally at the Irish Centre in Digbeth from midday to 1pm.
