Strike called off at Myerscough College as union hails result

Staff at Myerscough College in Lancashire have overwhelmingly voted to accept a pay offer and pull out of the England-wide college strike action.

The employees at the further and  higher education college, based in Bilsborrow, agreed a 4 per cent deal which was hailed as a victory by their union.

Their agreement leaves 25 other colleges in the England-wide dispute over fair pay and conditions, with strike action set to go ahead at other colleges this week – on Wednesday 14, Thursday 15 and Friday 16 January. The negotiated deal will include:

• 4% pay rise from 1 January 2026
• changes to the pay structure whereby most staff will see an increase over the year of between 4% and 9.7%
• starting salary for lecturers to increase by 21.4% (from £25,082 to £30,451) by July
• two days additional annual leave

The deal also includes a significant expansion of the UCU ( the University and College Union ) bargaining unit to include classroom-based learning support roles.

The union says it is urging management at the remaining colleges to come back to the table and make fair pay offers that help close the pay gap between school and college teachers so it can call off the strike action.

UCU, alongside fellow unions NEU, GMB, UNISON and Unite – is calling for a New Deal for Further Education, including pay parity with schoolteachers, national workload agreements and a binding national bargaining framework.

Union leaders argue that the average college teacher earns £9,000 less than their counterpart does in schools.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “I want to congratulate our members at Myerscough 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.

“To avoid disruption on campus this week, leaders at colleges where we are still in dispute need to make meaningful offers and show they value their staff.”