A COLLEGE has thanked striking staff for being respectful to their students on one of the most important days of their lives.

Furness College, where some educators went on strike on Wednesday, has said it is grateful that striking workers didn’t get in the way of students on their way to their GCSE English exam.

Professor Andrew Wren, chief executive and principal of Furness College, said: “The strike action on May 18 caused very little disruption to our students and we would like to thank the members of staff on the picket line for their considerate and professional approach, especially on a GCSE exams day.

But it has remained steadfast in its claim that it can not afford to give them a pay raise higher than 1%.

It says that - in principle - it supports higher wages but current Government funding isn’t adequate to provide that.

And it says it is till open to negotiations for next year’s pay award.

Furness College staff say that they deserve more than a 1% pay rise amid spiralling inflation.

Read more: Furness College staff vow to strike again if industrial action unsuccessful

Mr Wren continued: “We support any activities which raise the profile of colleges’ funding challenges with central government, so long as there is minimal disruption to students.

“In recent years, the college has matched or exceeded the pay recommendation of the Association of Colleges (AoC), but we remain aware of the significant pressures on staff given the steep current rise in the cost of living. The college is wholeheartedly supportive of more substantial pay awards.

“The college will see a reduction in its overall funding next year and is also facing the same increases in costs as households in relation to goods and particularly energy. We have also seen an increase in the employers’ National Insurance contribution.

Mr Wren claims that no proposed measures will include an increase to staff working hours, allaying a fear that members had on the picket line on Wednesday.

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