2003/05 Pay Award
Dear Principal
2003/05 Pay Award
We write on behalf of all trade unions of the FE National Joint Forum (NJF) concerning the pay agreement for 2003/05 which is roccomended for implementation in all FE colleges with effect from 1 August 2003.
You will be aware that there has been a major problem concerning the implementation of previous national pay settlements within the sector. It was with this in mind that both sides of the NJF recognised it was imperative that the final recommendations of the Modernising Pay Working Party should be affordable for colleges to implement within the new "Success For All" funding arrangements. It was further agreed that if situations arise where colleges find difficulty in implementing the agreement due to severe financial problems, the AOC and trade unions would take up such cases directly with the government and LSC.
The FE trade unions are mounting a high profile campaign for the full implementation of the agreement including detailed monitoring of progress. We believe that the implementation of this 2-year agreement will enable colleges to meet the challenges of "Success for All" and does much to improve the longstanding problems of low pay, recruitment, retention and morale of staff in FE. It is a significant settlement that will make a substantial contribution to improving the quality of service to our students and avoids the industrial relations difficulties that have bedevilled the sector.
We would be grateful if you would confirm as soon as possible that your college intends to fully implement the terms of the agreement.
Yours sincerely
Christine Lewis Barry Lovejoy
Joint Secretaries to NJF Trade Unions