Northern Ireland

Lecturers to end industrial action after accepting pay offer

Economy Minister Conor Murphy welcomed the progress.

University and College Union (UCU) workers and supporters on a picket line at Queens University Belfast
Union strike action University and College Union (UCU) workers and supporters on a picket line at Queens University Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA)
By Jonathan McCambridge, PA

Industrial action by further education lecturers in Northern Ireland is set to end after a new pay offer was accepted.

The offer from the Department for the Economy includes an increase in starting salary from £24,496 to £30,000 as well as an 8.4% pay increase plus £1,000 added to the pay of all current lecturers in 2023/24.

The offer has been accepted by the UCU and NASUWT unions, which said in a joint statement: “UCU and the NASUWT would like to recognise the hard work of our memberships; without their determination this offer would not have been made.

Northern Ireland Economy Minister Conor Murphy
Conor Murphy comments Northern Ireland Economy Minister Conor Murphy (Liam McBurney/PA)

“There is still work to do around parity for lecturers with the teachers’ pay scales and we will lobby the department and College Employers Forum to ensure that our members are being rewarding for the work they do and the value they bring to Northern Ireland economy.”

Economy Minister Conor Murphy said: “I am pleased that my department has been able to facilitate this pay award, which has been accepted by unions.

“Further education lecturers are vital in providing many of the skills that grow our economy.

“I hope we can now work together to build a thriving further education sector as this will be key to delivering my economic vision.”