LESSONS and activities may be disrupted by a strike by some members of Truro and Penwith College staff next Monday (February 23) in an escalating dispute over low pay and poor working conditions.

The University and College Union (ULU) has already called three days of strike action since the start of the year – on January 14 to 16 – after the college imposed a pay award of two per cent, which it says is half that recommended by employer body the Association of Colleges.

The ULU said the college “seems reluctant to engage in committing to agree to implement meaningful blocks of protected time to allow academic staff to properly plan, prepare and assess the work of their students”.

The union said there was also a mass redundancy programme last year which has seen workloads rocket at a college that already has one of the highest weekly teaching allocations in the region.

“College management claims the college can’t afford anything more than the two per cent it has imposed, which amounts to a real-terms pay cut, because of financial strain,” said a union spokesperson.

“But it is no longer in deficit and is forecast to make a surplus after the government body responsible for funding education providers, the Education and Skills Funding Agency, moved it from a ‘requires improvement’ financial health rating to ‘outstanding’.”

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “Our members provide excellent education and training to learners across Cornwall, yet Truro and Penwith College bosses are refusing to pay them properly, imposing an award that is half that recommended by the employer body.

“Meanwhile, bosses also refuse to implement meaningful time for staff to plan and prepare their lessons and assess students’ work. This is an attack not just on our members but on the student body.

“Management now has a small window of time to begin negotiating and respond formally to our demands. If it fails to do so, we will have no choice but to strike.”

Truro and Penwith College says it has made staff, students, parents and carers aware of the local strike action taking place next Monday, which some staff who are members of the ULU will take part in.

A college spokesperson said: “The strike action is centred around staff pay, workload and terms and conditions of employment and although disappointed with the decision from the UCU, the college will continue to consult with the union in an effort to bring the dispute to a conclusion.

“Our priority throughout is the wellbeing and education of our students. While some lessons or activities may be disrupted, we are working hard to minimise the impact and will keep students informed directly of any changes.

“We respect the right of staff to take lawful industrial action and also recognise the sector-wide funding challenges facing further education (FE). The college continues to lobby government, alongside other FE providers, for long-term investment in the sector so it can continue to transform lives.”