September 2002

ACM LOBBIES THE PRIME MINISTER

ACM took its campaign on FE pay to the very top recently when it presented a letter to the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street. The letter had been signed by around sixty principal members of the Association and called on the Prime Minister to act promptly to increase funding to colleges in order to improve pay levels of staff working in the sector. Better pay is necessary to retain and attract high quality and qualified staff. The letter stated that “We are committed to working with the DfES and the LSC to further improve standards particularly with regard to the inclusion, retention and achievement of learners. We are calling on you not to jeopardise your important ambitions in respect of basic skills, workforce development, HE targets, and indeed for the whole of post 16 learning, by depriving the sector of the resources it needs to ensure a valued, skilful, qualified workforce in our colleges.”

Pictured representing ACM, from left to right and top to bottom: Richard Atkins, Tom Johnson, Mike James, Peter Pendle, Lynne Sedgmore, Ahmed Choonara and Nadine Cartner

2002 Pay Negotiations Update

The Association of Colleges is refusing to reopen negotiations following its decision to advise colleges to impose an increase in pay of 2.3%. This is well below the average level of increases across the public sector. All six further education unions have rejected the AoC offer. ACM consulted members on the offer. Over 20% responded and overwhelmingly rejected the offer. All of the other unions are planning on taking further strike action on 5th November. ACM sees such action as unfortunate but understandable in the light of the AoC’s decision not to open negotiations. The Association will be advising that members should, unless advised otherwise by the Association, carry out their normal duties and avoid any breach of their contract of employment. Members are encouraged to avoid acting in a manner that undermines or interferes with the action of staff carrying out the lawful policies of their own trade unions. Further advice is available on the ACM website.

Obviously, the AoC position is extremely disappointing.  The Association understands how difficult it is for colleges to afford a pay increase for employees this year against the background of the continuing funding difficulties. However, the evidence is that many colleges are choosing to ignore the AoC’s advice and are giving increases significantly greater than 2.3%. Sixth-form college employers have already agreed a 3.5% pay increase so one must ask why further education colleges are unable to do the same.

ACM is increasing directing its activities towards Government and is continuing to bring pressure to bear of Ministers and Civil Servants. In August General Secretary Peter Pendle met with Margaret Hodge and Ivan Lewis, together with the general secretaries of the other FE unions, to argue the case for an increase in funding over and above that announced as part of the CSR outcome.

Meetings have also taken place with senior DfES civil servants, including Janice Shiner, and a joint union/ AoC delegation visited the DfES in Sheffield in September. Efforts are also being made to win support outside the sector. At the Trades Union Congress in September members from across the union movement supported a motion, moved by ACM, to campaign for an increase in funding and salaries in FE. NATFHE, ATL, and UNISON all spoke in support of the ACM’s resolution. ACM will also be lobbying ministers at the Labour Party conference in October.

The Association will be encouraging members to write to their local members of parliament in support of the campaign. Plans are also being prepared to lobby the Welsh Assembly for an increase in funding. Any further developments will be reported on the web site