ON a cold and grey Wednesday morning, the sounds of protest songs and cars tooting in support could be heard along North Hill in Colchester as striking sixth form tutors and other National Education Union members stood in solidarity.

About 80 Colchester Sixth Form College tutors, members of the National Education Union, one of the two main teachers’ unions in England, were on strike this morning.

The tutors are protesting over a decrease in real terms pay and a general lack of funding for the sector, with college teachers seeing a 20 per cent real terms pay cut since 2010.

Independent councillor and History sixth form college tutor and NEU representative for the Colchester Sixth Form College, Mark Goacher, stated the strikes were a necessity.

He said: “We want pay that’s compliant with inflation. Sixth form colleges have lost 60 per cent of funding per student since 2009.

“We are calling for the funding and to be taken seriously, this is an opportunity to get the statistics out and draw attention to the fact that payment needs to go up.”

 

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Several tutors, from all subjects, stood out the front of the college to spread awareness this morning, alongside retired teachers and other NEU members, who arrived to show solidarity.

Protest songs blared out from a speaker, as tutors waved flags, handing out flyers and stickers to colleagues and pupils who passed by.

Sandrine, a languages tutor at the college, said: “We are striking for two main reasons, firstly we are strongly underpaid. Secondly, Colchester Sixth Form, and all other colleges across the country need more pay - it is extremely important for us and the education sector.”

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Also in attendance was the regional secretary for the National Education Union, Paul Mcaughlin, who observed that the strikes were long overdue.

He said: “The strikes are taking place for two reasons. There is chronic underfunding in the education sector, especially sixth dorm. Pay has gone down on average, 20 per cent since 2010.

“Inflation is rampant, this represents an unacceptable pay cut for tutors.”

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Several pupils also stood in solidarity with their tutors, acting as a conduit to raise awareness amongst their peers.

Steve, who teaches physics and maths at the college, explained how the funding cuts will impact student’s educations.

He said: “This strike is a change to get the Sixth Form College’s voice heard. Next year, the budget will be reduced further, which will impact students’ quality of education.

“Teachers need to live too; it is not fair for us to see our pay and resources eroded by lack of funding.”

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The other main teacher’s union, NASUWT, is currently holding a ballot as to whether it’s members will strike for increased pay, meaning the Sixth Form College could see a second strike this year, from a separate group of tutors.

Tutors from the University of Essex have also been on strike this week, raising concerns relating to a national dispute on pensions and the final pay award offer made during the most recent national pay negotiations.

Ambulance workers across England also intend to strike before Christmas this year, following a vote which ruled in favour of industrial action concerning pay and staffing levels.

Unison, the UK’s biggest trade union, announced that thousands of 999 call handlers, ambulance technicians, paramedics and their colleagues working for ambulance services are set to take industrial action.

Also on strike this week are Royal Mail staff, who, for most of the year, have been battling for a pay rise.

The Communion and Workers Union maintain that the staff are disappointed with employer’s decision to freeze pay for the 2021/22 period, offering an ‘inadequate’ pay rise of five per cent.