Teachers in sixth form colleges gathered in a strike to say they “had enough” in a dispute about pay.
Across the country staff from the National Educational Union (NEU) joined the University and College Union (UCU) and Communication Workers Union (CWU), which took action in a walk out on November 30.
Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP Diane Abbott joined teachers and NEU general secretary Kevin Courtney on the picket line outside BSix College in Kenninghall Road, Upper Clapton.
Jamie Duff, of the Hackney NEU, said: “Sixth form teachers have had enough. We have suffered a real - terms pay cut of an estimated 20% since 2010.
“Inflation is running at well over 10%. We are demanding a fully funded, fair and reasonable pay rise.”
He added: “The government has continually undermined the sixth from college sector. Pay us a fair wage and stop undermining the profession.
“This government talks about improving skills and education yet has not provided any additional funding for sixth form colleges.
“If this government is serious about investing in the future why not invest properly in our young people?”
Kevin Watson, the principal of the college, said that teachers “should not be vilified” for expecting a “meaningful pay rise”.
UCU members at 150 universities have also been on strike, as general secretary Jo Grady said: “University staff are prepared to do whatever it takes."
Outside City and Islington College, an NEU protest also took place.
Joint secretary of the union Dr Mary Bousted said: “This is a government that talks about growth but deliberately underfunds a sector which is the absolute bedrock of growth particularly in terms of skills.
“That’s why we’re here, enough is enough.”
Postal workers at the Royal Mail Islington Delivery Office also gathered that day for their 11th day of action.
Mark Dolan, London divisional representative for the CWU said: “The company, following Covid, made over £700 million and they made that money off the backs of our membership who during Covid put their own lives on the line connecting the country, delivering test kits and we were hailed as key workers during Covid.
“And yet, 18 months’ later, the company have announced they have got no money, they gave most of the profits away to shareholders and the people who sit on the board of Royal Mail.”
On Monday (November 28) in Parliament, education secretary Gillian Keegan called for the Commons to unite in calling on the unions “to end the threat of strike action”.
She told the House: “We are investing an extra £2 billion into our schools next year, and the year after. This will be the highest real-time spending on schools in history.
“This is what was asked for by teachers, by heads and by unions, and, given this, I very much hope that both sides of the House will be united in calling on the unions to end the threat of strike action as our children work hard to catch up on lost learning.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here