Respect FE: update from UCU general secretary

Firstly, thank you to everyone working as hard as possible to get the vote out. Our branches are doing a great job, and thank you to South & City College and Bournville College branches for hosting a ballot visit this week. I'll also be visiting Newcastle and Stafford College Group, North Kent College, City of Oxford College and Brockenhurst College next week.

Secondly, during negotiations yesterday the Association of Colleges (AoC) made a conditional recommendation on pay of 6.5%, as well as other elements in our claim covering binding national bargaining and workloads.

Please watch the video I have posted video online which provides an update, but I want to say a few further things on this to you, as we get nearer to the close of the ballot: 

1. the pay recommendation is a testament to all your campaigning work. It has built pressure on employers across the country. The offer confirmed what we know, that the money is there for college bosses to give you a decent pay rise and treat staff fairly. but make no mistake, there is absolutely no chance the AoC would have put that offer on the table if it were not for our ongoing strike action in FE and ballots--well done to every single one of you
2. every member needs to ask themselves a question--do you think it is more or less likely that your college will be forced to implement that offer (or a better offer!) if we win this ballot? The answer is of course, yes.

The AoC pay recommendation is a step in the right direction. However, there is one important difference between the 6.5% pay offer accepted by teachers and the recommendation put forward by the AoC on FE pay; the recommendation isn't binding on all colleges. But each and everyone of you is owed a pay rise. This is why we are demanding a new national bargaining framework for the sector with binding outcomes, so all staff get a pay increase.

The offer the AoC have made on workload also falls short, as it does not address the fact college staff work an average of two days extra every week for no additional pay.

We should be measured in our response to this moment. We want urgent talks to progress this important part of our campaign and have offered dates to meet the AoC and a proposed way forward.

But it should send confidence through every single FE member. You are influencing them with your campaigning. You are influencing them with your votes.

If you have voted then thank you (make sure you let us know or request replacement ballot papers via this link). Your job now is to convince every single one of your colleagues to do the same. 

If you haven't voted, then I urge you to do so. The power of collectivism will move the employer. 

Well done for all the work you are doing. Let's get the vote out

In solidarity   

Jo Grady  
UCU general secretary