March 2003

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Pay Dispute in England almost over!

The long running pay dispute is close to resolution. The Association of Colleges (AoC) made a formal offer to the six further education unions on Friday 7 February that is likely to end the current pay dispute. ACM has already indicated its willingness to accept the offer. The other unions are consulting their membership and are recommending that the offer be accepted. It is hoped that the deal can be formally signed in early March.
 
The AoC recommended pay offer is:

  • 3.5% or £500, whichever is greater backdated to 1 August 2002, including consolidated TPI/CPI payments made in respect of the £32m allocation to the sector.
  • A starting minimum salary on point 5 of the lecturers scale for all lecturers with QTS with effect from 1 April 2003.
  • A minimum hourly rate of £5 per hour for all support staff with effect from 1 April 2003.
  • The establishment of an NJF Modernising Pay Arrangements Working Group to consider and produce recommendations on short, medium and long-term pay strategies for the sector.

  • As a contribution towards the catch up, the AoC recommends that FE Corporations make an additional award of 0.5% on all salaries and allowances effective from 1 April 2003, ratified and payable from 1 August 2003, following the successful completion of the work of the NJF Modernising Pay Arrangements Group, provided that all of the NJF trade unions settle the current dispute.
  • The recommendation is dependant upon: all trade unions of the NJF signing up to establishing and constructively consulting their members on the work and recommendations of the NJF Modernising Pay Arrangements Group; and all of the trade unions of the NJF recommending the AoC recommendation to their members for acceptance.

Peter Pendle, ACM General Secretary said “ACM is pleased that the dispute is drawing to a conclusion.  We have worked together with the other unions to resolve the dispute and the latest offer is a vindication of the position taken by the Association and the other unions.  We are especially pleased that the offer makes a start in addressing the issue of low pay in the sector.  It also begins the process of bringing FE pay into line with that in schools and other parts of the public sector.  We have repeatedly called on the AoC to show some leadership to their members and are very pleased that they have finally done so.  We recognise that some colleges may find it difficult to implement the recommended offer in full but would urge them to make every effort to do so.  Now the dispute is almost resolved we can all focus on the real issue of using the additional funding in 2003/4 to further close the gap with those in schools and other parts of the public sector.  In particular the Association will be arguing to ensure that management posts are correctly graded and management staff appropriately remunerated.”