Exam disruption possible as AQA staff vote for strike action

Staff at the AQA exam board have voted in favour of strike action in a dispute centred on pay. The move has the potential to delay the results of exams such as GCSEs. UNISON, which represents around 160 staff at the organisation, balloted for strike action after what it describes as ‘years of below-inflation ?wage rises’. The ballot, which closed on 27 June, saw 71 per cent of votes in favour of strike action. The turnout exceeded the required threshold of 50 per cent. The Unite union, which also represents staff at the exam board, is also considering a ballot. AQA has around 1200 staff in total.

UNISON says that last year the workforce received a ‘paltry’ 0.6 per cent pay increase. Staff have already rejected a 3 per cent ?offer, and are calling for an increase that keeps pace with the rising cost of living. Data released last week showed inflation at a 40 year high of 9.1 per cent.  AQA said pay rises would actually average 5.6 per cent, with staff not currently at the top of their pay grades also receiving an incremental increase. Talks to try to resolve the dispute have already taken place at conciliation service ACAS.

Pupils sitting GCSE English and maths papers would be among those affected by any delays in results if ?the strikes go ahead, UNISON says. Commenting on the ballot result, UNISON North West regional organiser Lizanne Devonport said: ‘No one takes a decision lightly that could cause disruption to pupils. But staff have demonstrated they’re clearly unhappy with the way they’re being treated and are prepared to take action. The union will now discuss the results with the employer and branch before a decision is made about the next steps.’

A spokesperson for AQA said it was ‘giving our people a pay rise that’s affordable and higher than many organisations, so it’s disappointing we haven’t been able to reach an agreement with the unions’. AQA also commented: ‘Our priority is always to make sure students get the results they deserve on time – and we have plans in place to make sure any industrial action won’t affect that. We’re disappointed that a trade union is claiming otherwise, as this is wrong and only serves to cause needless alarm for students and teachers at what’s already a challenging time.’

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