Leicester College Pay Strike Goes On

After their successful one-day strike on 6 February, staff from both sites at WQE college in Leicester struck again on 13-14 February.

The workers are striking to protect pay and conditions and achieve parity between both sites after a recent merger.

Picketing is not easy, with several entrances to cover, but there were plenty of willing pickets from the National Education Union and teaching union NASUWT.

30 people attended a National Education Union meeting immediately after picketing. The head teacher was refusing to speak to the unions before but strike action has forced him to negotiate. However, the National Education Union has kept on the table a proposed three-day strike in March.

The head of the two sites is attempting to divide the workforce, and there are dangers here. Different unions are involved, and one site has better terms and conditions than the other.

It is disappointing that member of public sector union Unison, representing support staff, have not been asked to strike. Joint strike meetings between the unions taking action would help to maintain unity between the strikers.