Uneasy peace in climate of change

New College's change of status from a sixth-form college to a further education college is marred with controversies. New College's teachers union organized picket lines to preserve the school's status. They claimed that the transformation entitles them to a raise in pay since it will extend their teaching hours and burden them with more responsibility. To remedy the situation, education officials agreed to give the striking teachers 500 pounds sterling plus a 2.9% pay increase.