Further strikes planned by LIPA Sixth Form College

Rumblings of the dispute between the sixth form college and the teachers’ union were first heard last June when NEU members across LIPA MAT overwhelmingly voted ‘yes’ to industrial action. 

Excessive workloads and a "lack of basic amenities" including drinking water and internet access were reported by the NEU, as well as leaking roofs and mouldy carpets. 

Since the vote, the NEU has also added claims of “asbestos management” and “electrical rewiring” to its list of LIPA Sixth Form College’s "critical" health and safety issues. 

Negotiations about the alleged issues broke down, with the NEU’s regional officer Bora Oktas claiming in December that the trust’s contributions merely amounted to "lip service".

Announcing the initial nine days of strikes in January, Oktas continued: "[LIPA MAT] has outright rejected dispute resolution proposals suggested by our members. This shows a blatant disregard for its workforce and contradicts established principles of labour relations and dispute resolution."

Now, striking teachers at LIPA Sixth Form College have opted to continue their action into February with the support of "the majority of parents", according to the NEU. 

Ahead of the action, Oktas stated: "LIPA MAT has consistently failed to address safety concerns, which pose a risk of injury or harm to both staff and pupils due to dilapidated premises and equipment. 

"Despite numerous attempts to resolve these issues through negotiation, the employer has not taken adequate steps to ensure a safe and effective learning environment."

Peter Middleman, regional secretary of the NEU, said: "It’s frustrating that the mood we sense exists among college leaders to make progress in this dispute has apparently been scuppered by senior figures at trust level and this speaks volumes about who has the best interest of students and staff uppermost in their mind."

He added: "Taking strike action is a last resort, but our members are fighting for the well-being and health and safety of their students, who are being taught in premises that are not fit for purpose and among hazards and risks to their health and safety. 

"We once again invite LIPA MAT to reconsider its position and work with the NEU collaboratively to resolve our members’ concerns through negotiations."

Responding to the latest wave of strikes, a LIPA Sixth Form College spokesperson told The Stage: “We are disappointed that the NEU is choosing to prioritise continuing with its strike action and picketing over joining us for talks with ACAS and finding a meaningful resolution once and for all, which is our priority.

"An independent audit in November 2024 that inspected our entire building found no issues with our health and safety policies or procedures. 

"We continue to invest in our estates, with work soon to begin on our £4 million expansion project, and we also invest in our staff, as all staff pay is aligned with national standards ([following the] school teachers’ pay and conditions [guidelines] and NJC pay scales), with all national pay increases instituted last year, and working-from-home time offered.

"We remain open to talks to resolve this situation swiftly for the benefit of our students, provided that strike action is paused to enable meaningful dialogue."

In an earlier statement shared with The Stage responding to the initial announcement of strikes in the new year, LIPA Sixth Form College committed to ensuring that disruption would be kept to a minimum and added: "Our students are our number one priority."