Sheffield College strike: Union makes big announcement on lecturers' strike
Staff at Sheffield College have called off planned strike action after reaching a deal over pay.
Staff at the organisation, which has sites across the city, accepted a pay offer of five per cent for lecturers and curriculum team leaders and four per cent for all other staff, and will stand down this week’s strike action, the University and College Union (UCU) confirmed.
They had planned to be on strike today, Friday, January 16, but are now back at work.
The union says the deal will include:
> An extra two per cent pay rise for all staff, backdated to December 1, 2025, on top of a two per cent increase that all staff already received in August 2025 (a four per cent rise overall)
> Lecturers on Level 1–5 scale will receive a three per cent increase backdated to December 1, 2025 (a five per cent increase overall)
> Further work on the college’s Workload Agreement following negotiations with UCU
Paul Simpson, executive director for people, at Sheffield College, said: “We welcome the resolution to this dispute, which we were committed to achieving.
“We have worked constructively with UCU to reach an outcome that supports our staff, students and the wider college.
“I would like to thank all of our staff for their patience and professionalism during this period.”
UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “I want to congratulate our members at Sheffield College for winning a pay award that helps bring their salaries into line with their counterparts in schools.
“It is down to the determination and incredible solidarity of our members which shows what can be achieved when workers unionise and stand together. “
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Sheffield College runs courses including apprenticeships, vocational diplomas, A Levels, T Levels, access courses, and foundation and honours degrees.
It has five main campuses, at the Advanced Technology Centre, City, Hillsborough, Peaks and Pennine Five.
Around 13,200 people studied during there during the last academic year, 2024/25.