GCSE and A-level results may be delayed because of exam board three-day strike

Staff at exam board AQA are to stage a 72-hour walkout that could affect the delivery of thousands of GCSE and A-level results.

The three days of industrial action – during exam marking season – will be held from Friday, July 29 to Sunday, July 31 in a row over pay.

Unison the union warned industrial action is likely to escalate unless talks are reopened.

It said many of the staff involved say they are struggling to make ends meet following successive below-inflation pay awards.

Staff were reportedly given an increase of 0.6% in 2021, with 3% offered this year, which Unison says is a real-terms pay cut.

It comes as UK retail price index inflation hits 11.8% – the highest its been in around 40 years.

Unison official Lizanne Devonport said the workers have been left with ‘no other option’ but to strike.

‘Pay has been falling behind ?prices for years and 3% isn’t a ?wage rise, with costs spiralling it’s a pay cut,’ she said.

‘Things are so bad staff are fearful they will no longer be able to make ends meet.

‘Workers only strike as a last resort. They’d rather be doing the jobs that they’re proud of. They don’t want to disrupt students and know how important exam results are to them.’

Scotland’s exam body could also go on strike during during the busy appeals process, also in a row over pay.