STAFF at Warrington & Vale Royal College have voted to take strike action, the University and College Union announced today.

The union says the college has frozen staff pay since last August and remains the only one in north-west England that has refused to make a pay offer this academic year.

According to UCU, the college principal has refused to meet with its representatives over the past year to discuss pay, even though the college is forecast to make a £2.3 million surplus this year and has over £16m in reserve. 

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “It is completely unacceptable for Warrington’s principal to refuse her staff any pay award whatsoever this year. 

“Every other principal in the region clearly views this as beyond the pale, and it risks Warrington & Vale Royal becoming a lone rogue employer.

“She now needs to look at the incredible 94 per cent yes vote for strike action and begin talking to us immediately if she wants to avoid disruption on campus.”

Warrington & Vale Royal College was contacted for comment.