FE staff in England look set to receive a 3.2% pay rise if the deal is ratified by the Association of Colleges (AoC) and the six unions on the National Joint Forum. Previously the AoC had offered just 2.5% in line with other public sector pay deals. However, further rounds of negotiations resulted in the latest figure being tabled. The deal, if agreed, would run from 1st October 2008 for 10 months; and would be underpinned by a minimum £550 increase.
Peter Pendle, ACM General Secretary said, “We think that this is a very reasonable offer in the financial circumstances faced by many colleges. It is certainly better than that achieved almost anywhere else across the public sector and will go further towards narrowing the pay gap between colleges and schools. We will be encouraging members to support acceptance of the offer and hope that sister unions will be doing the same. As always, once the deal is finalised the focus will shift towards encouraging all colleges to implement the settlement in full”
ACM will now consult branches in England to see if members accept a 3.2% pay rise.
Tags: Further Education
