No confidence vote over 46% pay rise at Coleg y Cymoedd
A lecturers' union adopts a vote of no confidence in a college governing body after it approved a 46% pay rise for its principal.
Judith Evans's salary at Coleg y Cymoedd soared from £98,916 in 2013 to £145,000 last year.
The vote was unanimously passed by 138 University and College Union (UCU) members, following a 0% pay rise offer in 2014/15 for lecturers.
A college spokesman said it was surprised by the vote.
He said the pay rise was decided two years ago.
"In common with some other senior salaries at the time, the salary for this post was set at the Welsh median level," he said.
"The increase was paid in two phases with the second phase taking effect in August last year."
The UCU complained that Ms Evans's rise came at a time when lecturers' pay was frozen.
"Since that review two years ago there has unfortunately been a cut in FE funding, which has had an impact on staff numbers and placed constraints on staff salaries," the college spokesman said.
"However it should be pointed out that the increase in staff salaries that Coleg y Cymoedd governors agreed this year is in line with the further education sector in Wales generally.
"This decision was taken before the vote on strike action and was not influenced by that vote. We are surprised by this motion of no confidence given that the union had not previously raised this issue with the governors or sought clarification on the salary review process."