UCU's new Respect FE campaign for pay and professional respect: vote now in the ballot

When I wrote to members before half term I told you that UCU has a new strategy for further education (FE) in England, to win better pay and professional respect. 

Today I'm asking you to take the first step towards making that a reality by voting in our consultative ballot. The more members that vote YES, the better our chances of radically improving your pay for the first time in years, so vote YES and vote now: please check your email for your voting link.

The ballot asks if you would be willing to take industrial action in pursuit of better pay and getting employers to sign up to UCU's new charter for professional respect in further education. 

Every vote in every branch counts. Your vote counts.

If you and your colleagues vote, and vote YES your branch will be able to proceed to a formal postal ballot for industrial action. That means your branch will be in a strong position to get better pay, conditions and respect for you at work. 

We know that members in the 15 UCU college branches that took industrial action last year won better pay and conditions. Taking action works. This year we want as many UCU members as possible to win better pay and conditions. This is why I am asking you to vote YES and support UCU's Respect FE campaign, our biggest and with your support the most successful FE campaign ever.

UCU's 10% pay claim

UCU's pay claim for 2022/23 is a 10% increase in pay. Inflation and the ever increasing cost of living has made it clear that UCU's claim is fair. You've had a real terms cut in pay of at least 35% since 2009. With more funding in FE than there has been for a decade, you have the best opportunity in years to demand, expect and win more pay and respect from your college.

Respecting your professionalism: our new charter

While I know pay is very important, I also know that increases in pay won't solve the relentless attacks on your professionalism. Punishing levels of bureaucracy, unachievable deadlines and ever increasing surveillance in classrooms don't just undermine you as educators - they are toxic to the experience of learners too. 

That is why UCU's elected further education officers have developed a new charter for professional respect in FE. The charter demands change in five key areas, including workload and autonomy in the workplace. You can read the charter in full here. 

The best way to make our demands a reality is to vote YES to commit to taking action, if necessary, by voting in our ballot.

Every year colleges tell us they can't afford to provide what we're asking. This year is different. We know the money is there. This year we have a good chance of getting a better deal. 

Branches that have voted YES to taking action have won better. Now is your opportunity to do the same, let us know if you would vote YES for action to win better pay and respect at your college.

I am asking you to take that first step and show your employer you are serious about demanding better and winning better. Vote now.

Please check your email for your voting link.

This consultative ballot will close on Wednesday 30 March 2022 at 5pm.

Jo Grady
UCU general secretary