COLLEGE staff in East Lancashire are poised for industrial action after a row over pay and conditions.
Unison, the largest union among support staff in all colleges, has organised the national walk-out for Tuesday, November 5 after balloting members. This year was the first year in which all further education unions submitted a joint claim.
Michelle Alltree, branch secretary of Unison at Accrington and Rossendale College, said: "The pay in further education colleges has fallen in comparison to the rest of the public and private sector since incorporation from local government in 1993."
Unison's demands include a "substantial" pay rise with a flat rate element which will go towards matching other public sector groups, a minimum of £11,000 for all support staff and working hours with a maximum 35-hour working week during this pay year.
Almost half the staff of further education colleges are support staff and Michelle said the average salary was £13,148.
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