Pay

UNISON is the main union for support staff working in further education colleges. Our 25,000 members include learning support staff, librarians, IT specialists, technicians, professional staff, administrative and business support staff, cleaners, canteen staff and estate management staff.

UNISON and the other recognised unions negotiate a national recommended pay award for FE college staff with the employer's organisation, the Association of Colleges (AoC). The overwhelming majority of FE colleges in England are members of the AoC.

Once agreed by the unions this recommendation sets the minimum pay award that FE colleges should implement locally.

There are separate arrangements in Wales where UNISON and the recognised unions negotiate with the employer's body, Fforwm.

In Scotland, pay negotiations take place at local college level.

The modernising pay agreement

In 2004 the trade unions and the Association of Colleges signed an agreement calling on all colleges in England to introduce a new national pay scale. This national pay scale increased staff salaries across the board and introduced a much higher minimum rate of pay. The minimum hourly rate on the national pay scale is now £7.01 an hour.

The modernising pay agreement

< Back | More >