‘It is all about fairness’: Blackburn College staff on strike

Staff from 19 colleges, including Blackburn College, have begun up to 10 days of strike action, with three days being held on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, the University and College Union confirmed.

In Blackburn, staff were seen at several locations in and around Blackburn College including, Barton Street, Montague Street and Alma Street, off Barbara Castle Way.

Up to 120 staff were picketing this morning (Monday 26 September) and holding up banners in dispute over low pay.

They could be seen talking to students and passers-by throughout the early morning rush hour before the groups met up on Barbara Castle Way.

Staff picketing on Alma Street, Blackburn (Image: Staff picketing on Alma Street, Blackburn)

Spokesperson Dr Peter Shukie said they had received support from students despite holding the strikes within the first few weeks of the new term.

He said: “We have had a lot of support from people going past in cars and students coming through.

"People are coming over to talk to us to ask us what it is about.

“Students have been supportive because we are their tutors and their lecturers.

“We are not stopping people coming in - the goal is not that – it is to show our support to each other.

"This is a coming together of staff to say that we deserve better and we deserve more.

“A one per cent pay rise in 12 years is not enough and we deserve a fair pay increase.

“The cost-of-living crisis is terrifying. People are worried about their families and their children. The majority of people here are the main breadwinners of their families.

“There are colleagues having these types of events across the country. This is all about fairness.

“Our request has been for 10 per cent (pay rise). We think 10 per cent would be fair.

“People have spent lifetimes working here and they do more to take care of their students and work with their students. 

Staff with banners outside Blackburn College (Image: Staff with banners outside Blackburn College)

Around 4,000 members of the University and College Union (UCU) at 31 colleges in England will take up to 10 days of strike action over the coming weeks.

The union said the level of industrial action being undertaken is “unprecedented” in England.

Staff in Burnley went on strike earlier this month in the dispute over pay.

Staff with banners on Montague Street outside Blackburn College (Image: Staff with banners on Montague Street outside Blackburn College)

The union said that since 2009 pay in further education has fallen behind inflation by 35 per cent and the pay gap between school and college teachers stands at around £9,000.

As of Tuesday, October 4, Burnley College will be joined by Liverpool and Oldham College in a three day strike, having held the first at the start on September.

Another 10 colleges will also be holding strike action from Monday, October 3.

After this week, Blackburn College will hold another seven days of strike action on October 6, 7, 10, 11, 18, 19 and 20.