Harrogate exam board workers to strike in pay dispute
AQA staff call for pay restoration and review of the pay structure
Over 100 workers at AQA, the exam board, are preparing to strike in mid-July in an ongoing dispute over pay - including employees at their office in Harroagte.
Staff have rejected AQA's pay offer, citing it as inadequate following years of pay reductions in real terms.
The current level of pay is reportedly over 10 per cent less than in 2021.
Despite AQA holding substantial cash reserves of £164 million, employees are reportedly facing difficulties meeting the rising cost of living.
Half of the workers have indicated increased debt levels over the past year, and over 10 per cent are considering or regularly using food banks.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "It is completely unacceptable that workers at a wealthy organisation have been left struggling to afford the basics. AQA can more than afford to fix this by paying its workforce properly.
"AQA must change tack and invest in its hardworking staff. Until that happens, Unite will give our members at AQA its full support."
Workers are also requesting that an independent review of the pay structure be brought forward from its scheduled date in 2028.
They are seeking alterations to address pay gaps and for apprenticeship pay increases to be retroactive to 2024.
AQA, with employs staff in various roles such as communications and marketing, data analysis, and typesetting.
Unite members from AQA are set to strike on 16th and 17th July.
On 17th July, they are also planning to lobby MPs in Parliament regarding their pay concerns.
Unite regional officer Jesika Parmar said: "Any strike action is the fault of AQA, who has refused to give its staff a meaningful pay rise.
"Industrial action can be avoided, but it relies on AQA taking our members' concerns about pay seriously and coming back to the table with an improved offer"