Respect FE: you have until tomorrow to vote for action

UCU branches and staff have been holding campaign meetings and conversations in workplaces, making phone calls, and sending emails and thousands of text messages to get the vote out over the last few month. That is the kind of effort needed to beat the 50% turnout threshold and get a legal mandate for action. 

Imagine how you will feel if you don't vote, your branch falls one vote short of that 50% threshold, and your employer refuses to improve their pay offer.

Don't risk letting yourself and your colleagues down. If you haven't already, post your vote in the pre-paid first class envelope provided in the ballot pack. 

Many employers can afford substantially more than the 2.5% pay increase (and £500 one-off payment) which the Association of Colleges is recommending they make. Our college finances leaflet shows how much cash they've been accumulating and how much they stand to gain from increased 16-19 funding next year. 

Our recent report showed that soaring inflation and a decade of cuts are making it incredibly hard for FE staff to keep up with the cost of living. And our survey on workload showed that on average, you are working the equivalent of two extra unpaid days a week. But the sad truth is that most employers won't offer something better unless you present them with a meaningful threat of industrial action. 

If you can do that, you stand a great chance of winning. I feel like every few days we have a new victory to report that came about through members taking collective action - just look at yesterday's news about the pay deal which members won at Capital City College Group.

I know a lot of you will be looking forward to the end of term (if it hasn't already arrived) and taking whatever opportunities you can to recharge over the summer. But as soon as the ballots close, your UCU reps and regional office will be working hard to turn the results into a positive outcome at the bargaining table. 

Give them and yourselves the best possible chance of doing that with a resounding vote for action on a massive turnout. Dig out those ballot papers and post your vote back as soon as you can. 

In solidarity, 

Jo Grady 
UCU general secretary