UCU: College staff deserve teachers' pay levels

The University and College Union (UCU) is demanding a six per cent pay rise for college staff to bring their salaries up to teachers' pay levels.

It argues principals are receiving steady pay rises but teaching staff are falling behind.

"In the weird world of further education… staff work longer hours and receive less for their effort," UCU general secretary said at her union's rally in London today.

"Everywhere I have gone, lecturers have told me that the educational world they love is being destroyed – their work micromanaged and their time squeezed until they can't go on.

"They are told they have to deliver world-class skills, become more professional – more professional – while at the same time, the employers tell us flatly, they won't pay a professional wage. At the moment, they won’t even pay a living wage."