Respect FE ballot results and next steps

UCU's negotiators met today with the Association of Colleges (AoC) to discuss pay and the other demands we have set out in the Respect FE charter.

The AoC told us they will encourage colleges to offer a 2.25% increase on pay this year - with no commitments to action on workload or the wide range of other issues we have raised. That 2.25% figure is not binding. Some colleges will match it, and some will award more, but many colleges will end up awarding even less. 

When the government has announced a substantial increase to FE funding, and staff are struggling with a cost of living crisis after more a decade of real terms pay cuts, the AoC's position is completely unacceptable and we said as much to them in today's meeting. We will now proceed to ballot for industrial action in as many colleges as possible. 

Ballots opening in June: how to get ready 

The ballots will open in June and close in July, with industrial action to be called in the early autumn if employers do not make acceptable offers.

To get ready, please use MyUCU to check your membership details. Make sure you have the correct postal address and branch listed. Please also provide your mobile number, so someone in your branch or region can contact you about voting and answer any questions you have. 

At least 50% of UCU members in your college or college group need to vote to be able to take industrial action. That is what the law says - and the law also requires union members to vote by post. If your ballot gets posted to the wrong address, and you don't order a replacement in time, it could prevent everyone else in your college from taking action and winning. 

How many branches are balloting? 

In the indicative, online ballot we held in March, members cast an overwhelming YES vote in support of industrial action. Branches where at least 40% of members voted (in their college or in the whole college group, where relevant) will now hold postal ballots.

Last year 15 colleges crossed the 50% threshold to take industrial action and went on to win a better pay offer from their employer. This year, more than twice as many colleges will take part. Thousands of UCU members will be in a position to make a real difference on pay and workload across the sector. 

Colleges in the north of England showing the way 

Having a legal mandate for industrial action can make all the difference. If you want more evidence of that, look at Bury College, where members just voted to accept a 6% pay offer after calling industrial action - triple what the employer originally offered them and more than double the Association of Colleges' recommendation.

Seven other colleges in our North West and Northern regions were taking action last week. I visited picket lines at The Manchester College and I am confident that if the commitment shown by members in getting the vote out, in branch meetings and on picket lines continues, there will be more offers like the one we've seen at Bury. 

Look out for further updates from me in the coming weeks but in the meantime, don't forget: help your branch get ballot ready right now, by checking your membership details and especially your postal address. 

In solidarity, 

Jo Grady 
UCU general secretary