Unison suspends strike action in Wales FE colleges

Unison has suspended a planned
one-day strike in Further Education colleges in Wales following an offer of
extra funding by the Welsh Assembly.

However, Unison members in England
will still take part in joint strike action on 5 November in support of their
claim for fair pay, closing FE colleges and affecting nearly four million
students.

Unison’s decision to suspend
strike action in Wales followed an announcement by Welsh Assembly Minister for
Education and lifelong learning, Jane Davidson, of an additional £9m
specifically for Further Education staff pay from 1 April 2003.

Paul Elliott, Unison Wales head of
local government said: "This additional money, coupled with the average
2.4 per cent colleges have already budgeted for, represents an increase of 7 per
cent for Further Education support staff from 1 April 2003.

"It is long overdue
recognition for support staff who are the forgotten army of college employees
and without whom colleges would not function. We will be consulting our FE
members on the proposals."

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Unison is calling on the
Government to follow the Welsh lead.

By BenWillmott