13 February 2006

Lecturers win crucial pay rise from cash-strapped college

Lecturers at Dewsbury College have taken a huge stride towards equal pay with schoolteachers, after reaching agreement on a pay deal following four strikes.

The Dewsbury branch of NATFHE – The University & College Lecturers’ Union, was locked in a dispute with college management over the introduction of a new pay scale that would significantly improve their salaries.

That pay scale was a crucial element of a two-year national pay deal struck between NATFHE and the Association of Colleges, which it was recommended all colleges implement to narrow the estimated 10 per cent pay gap between college lecturers and schoolteachers. (See Notes to Editors)

At Dewsbury, lecturers walked out four times in a bid to get the new pay scale implemented. The college repeatedly pointed to its financial difficulties as £800,000 was slashed from its budget for this year. In January an agreement was finally reached that was acceptable to both sides.

Martyn Moss, regional official in Yorkshire and Humberside, said:

‘It has taken a lot of tenacious negotiating and campaigning to get to this point, not to mention strike action. But the result is a long-term improvement in salary for all lecturers at Dewsbury College. We believe this will motivate existing lecturers and help the college recruit new ones.

‘We are particularly pleased with this result achieved against the odds because the college found itself in difficult financial circumstances.’

Barbara Hall, NATFHE branch secretary at Dewsbury College, added:
 
'The support that union members gave to each other enabled us to get the new pay structure with no strings attached. Our management were hoping to do a deal whereby we only got the extra money if we accepted worse terms of employment. By presenting a strong united front, we made sure that didn't happen."

Dewsbury lecturers are now pursuing an agreement on a cost of living pay rise for 2005/6.

Notes to editors

Dewsbury College had £800,000 slashed off its budget for the academic year of 2005/6.

The West Yorkshire Learning and Skills Council, which allocates funds to colleges, had an £11m budget cut in 2005/6.

Contacts
Martyn Moss, regional official in Yorkshire and Humberside: 0161 7727012/07989-473086
Vicky Wilks, press officer: 020-7520 3207/07970-383995

THE PAY DEAL
2003/5
A two-year deal which offered a 3% increase to all lecturers in 2003/4 followed by a second 3% increase in 2004/5, was agreed between NATFHE and the Association of Colleges. In the second year, the deal also included the introduction of a new, shorter pay scale that would give further increases.  This deal would mean the maximum salary for qualified lecturers would be raised to £30,705, and the starting salary increased to £20,283 for qualified teaching staff. To date, it has been fully implemented by 41% of colleges.

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