3rd day of industrial action this week at Luton Sixth Form College
Members of the National Education Union (NEU) are out in the latest wave of walkouts in a row over pay
Teachers at Luton Sixth Form College continue into their third day of strike today (Thursday January 9), protesting against disparities in pay between non-academic sixth-form colleges and their academically affiliated counterparts.
National Education Union (NEU) members at 32 non-academised sixth form colleges - including in Cambridge, Luton and Henley - are taking part in industrial action.
It comes after NEU members staged four days of strike action in November and December.
The Government announced in July that teachers and leaders in England will receive a fully funded 5.5% pay rise this academic year.
Speaking on the picket line in Luton, Sean, Vice President of Luton NEU and a representative at the college, said: “There’s a dispute over pay because academically affiliated sixth forms have been given funding for 5.5% pay rises, but non-academy sixth forms like Luton Sixth Form College have only been given funding for two.
We don’t understand why and we’re angry at why we’re being devalued and being told we’re worth less than academically affiliated sixth forms.”
Teachers highlighted the importance of public visibility for their strike, in a dispute that they fear many may not fully understand.
Marie, a biology teacher, said: “Some of the teachers that don’t teach in this sector don’t actually know that there’s a problem. So it’s all about raising awareness and making people aware that there is a discrepancy.
"We’re not just in it to be awkward. We’re doing it because we think it’s unfair.”
"...the students are going to effectively lose out in the end, and that’s not fair.”
Julie, another biology teacher, added: “There has been some movement, because there’s been some negotiation. So it has had a bit of an impact, but we just need to continue."
The teachers expressed concerns about the potential consequences of the pay disparity on students, particularly in diverse areas like Luton.
Marie explained, “Ultimately, if there’s different pay being awarded from different places, then teachers will move to other schools. So possibly somewhere like Luton, which has quite a diverse demographic, is probably going to be losing out because teachers are going to move elsewhere where the pay is higher. And the students are going to effectively lose out in the end, and that’s not fair.”
NEU branch secretary for Luton, David Mingay added that the issue stems from long-standing underfunding across the education sector.
“For 14 years, schools have been underfunded. We face cut after cut. There are no more cuts to be made in the schools and colleges, there are no more efficiencies to be made. If the government wants to take education seriously, they have to fund the sector properly.”
“We will keep striking till the government listens. This is in the hands of the government. The government could solve this dispute tomorrow. They can fund the sector properly.
"There shouldn’t be pay disparity between academic sixth forms and non-academic sixth forms. Everyone should be paid the same—you do the same job."
What does the Government say?
A government spokesperson said: "We have increased funding for education significantly, and pay decisions for staff are the responsibility of individual sixth form colleges.
"The government remains committed to ensuring high standards across all sectors of education."