The Association of Colleges (AoC) has written to the trade unions stating that it is withdrawing from the national agreement on guidance for sick leave in English further education colleges.
This vital agreement sets out the minimum entitlements to paid contractual sick leave that the AoC “recommends” colleges implement for their staff. It is an agreement that has been adopted by the overwhelming majority of colleges throughout England.
This unjustified move by the AoC could have serious implication for members in some colleges.
That is why the joint unions have come together to make clear that we will oppose this move by the AoC and strongly resist attempts by any college to cut sick pay.
If a college cuts its sick pay, staff who are unwell will be forced to come into work when ill.
The unions will resist any attempt by colleges to use the AoC decision as a justification to try and cut sick pay locally. Where any college attempts such a move, we will campaign together and are prepared to take co-ordinated industrial action.
The unions have issues a joint bulletin which contains important advice for UNISON branches and reps in colleges.
http://www.unison.org.uk/acrobat/Sick_Pay_Joint_Unions.pdf
