Ulster Unionist Party Education and Economy spokespeople, Robbie Butler MLA and Mike Nesbitt MLA, have issued a joint call on the Permanent Secretary at the Department for the Economy to commit to delivering pay parity for further education (FE) lecturers.

Speaking as lecturers at FE campuses across Northern Ireland continue strike action to highlight the pay disparity, Mike Nesbitt MLA commented.

“The pay disparity between FE lecturers and their colleagues, both in schools and universities, is simply unacceptable. We need to recognise that these lecturers are earning less than colleagues who are themselves campaigning for better pay and conditions, this emphasises the unacceptable strain that is being placed on those working at every level of our education system.

“The University and College Union have highlighted that FE lecturers in Northern Ireland are forced to live with a shocking 25% real-terms decline in salary since 2015, how they are expected to work in such circumstances is simply beyond me.” 

Education Spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA added.

“I met last week with FE lecturers who were unhappy that they had to take strike action but felt they have been left with no alternative. One lecturer explained to me that they are paid £4,000 a year less than a colleague teaching the same qualification at a secondary school, surely this cannot be acceptable.

“I would Join with my party colleague to call on the Department for the Economy to engage with the six college employers to urgently find a way to ensure pay parity can be delivered.