Support staff at Carlisle College have been balloted by their trade union over a pay deal.
An offer of 2.5 per cent and a pro-rata £500 lump sum has been made for admin, cleaning, catering and maintenance workers at the further education site during a cost-of-living crisis that has seen inflation hit over 12 per cent, Unison said.
It added that the employer’s offer fell well short of a 10 per cent claim submitted earlier in the year and represented a real terms pay cut.
The college has already been hit by strikes from lecturers in a continuing dispute over wage offers as members of the University and College Union recently picketed outside.
“As a member-led union, Unison believes it is up to the members to decide whether they wish to accept the employer’s offer or not,” said Mandie Phinn, Cumbria County branch secretary.
The joint union claim also wanted all colleges to become accredited Foundation Living Wage employers and a national agreement on workloads.
Carlisle College has been contacted for comment.
