"Time to Pay Up" latest

While campaigning is well underway for the 2009/10 Further Education pay campaign there are still many colleges in the Region which have failed to implement the 2008/09 award of 3.2% or £550 whichever is greater.  As part of the Time to Pay Up campaign UNISON nationally has sent a Freedom of Information request to all colleges which have failed to implement. This asked for disclosure of salary increases paid to senior postholders and the amount of money paid to employment agencies and consultants etc. UNISON will shortly be going public with this info in order to name and shame colleges so watch this space!

Funding cuts in Further Education

Further Education funding is currently being attacked from all sides.

Cuts to capital funding from the Learning and Skills Council have received much media coverage. A number of colleges in the Region have now had to delay or cancel building projects as a result and this is having a wide impact as colleges have to stand down contractors and professional teams and leave staff and students with inadequate accommodation…...more

Further Education Funding Petition

An important on-line petition has been lodged calling for adequate funding for Further Education. Please sign by clicking on the link below the text. The deadline for signing is 8 August 2009.

“Further Education is a vital part of provision in all communities, offering equality of learning opportunities for all. We want this vitally important service to be properly funded to help and assist people to improve their education, or in learning new skills in the presently difficult economic time.

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to protect and maintain funding for Further Education”

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/FE-Funding/

1% “final pay offer” for 2009/10

The Association of Colleges (AoC) has failed to improve on their 1% opening pay offer for further education college staff in England, despite indicating they would come back with a better offer.  This 1% offer equates to just 5p per hour (before tax) for many low paid support staff.

The Trade Union side is extremely angry at the negotiating tactics used by the Association of Colleges during this years pay negotiations. .. more

Who's Who on the Committee?

Further Education and Sixth Form Colleges Committee: About us