More than three-quarters of sixth form college teachers would strike over pay, survey shows
Union boss calls the vote result an “emphatic rejection of the pay offer”
More than three-quarters of sixth form college teachers would strike over pay and working conditions, according to research by union representatives.
With a turn out of 69 per cent, the National Education Union's (NEU) indicative ballot returned an 83 per cent yes response. Members in over seventy colleges took part in the vote.
It comes after NEU negotiators rejected the Sixth Form Colleges' Association's (SFCA) 2026-27 pay offer of 3.5 per cent last month.
The joint union claim for 2026-27 was a pay increase above the RPI rate of inflation and accelerated joint discussions on workload and working time over the autumn term.
Commenting on the result, NEU general secretary Daniel Kebede called the vote result an “emphatic rejection of the pay offer”.
He added: “We have been clear that the SFCA must meet our key demands across pay restoration and workload.
“That includes a pay increase above the RPI rate of inflation from September 1 on all pay points and allowances - one that constitutes a meaningful step towards real terms pay restoration.
"In its offer the SFCA has made no firm action to address our workload concerns.
“The threat of industrial action last year secured some measures to reduce excessive workload, including guaranteed, protected planning and preparation time within teacher’s timetables.”
"We believe that an improved pay offer is affordable within the improved funding for the sector. If there isn’t an improved offer from SFCA following the ballot result, preparations will be made to move to a formal ballot."