English colleges accept pay offer

(01/08/07) Workers in England's further education colleges have voted to accept the employers' 2007/8 pay offer.

UNISON's consultation with members saw 53 colleges respond, with only four rejecting the offer of a 2% rise from 1 August 2007 and a further 1% increase from 1 February 2008, applying to all salaries and allowances.

The union consulted members after rejecting earlier, lower, offers, on the basis that 2% plus 1% was the best that could be achieved through negotiation.

Although members accepted the offer, national officer Christine Lewis commented: "This does not signal delight, but rather that the offer is not quite bad enough, has an element of underpinning for the lower grades and is made in an unstable climate where jobs are at risk."

The national recognition agreement requires that all six unions represented on national joint council agree a pay offer before there is a settlement. This year, UCU will not respond to the offer until after a pay conference in October.

In the meantime, UNISON will keep members informed of developments and issue advice as appropriate.

UNISON in education

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