Association of Colleges

24 March 2011

The Association of Colleges (AoC) is deeply disappointed by UCU’s decision to call its members out on strike on 24 March, not least because such action will disrupt students and have a detrimental impact on the reputation of Colleges. Colleges will, of course, work hard to minimise any disruption to their students and staff.

By balloting staff on both pay and pensions, AoC is concerned that the union risks confusing its members, staff and students about these issues. The UCU is the only union out of the six*¹ represented on the Further Education National Joint Forum to take industrial action.

Evan Williams, Director of Employment at AoC, said: “While we understand the concerns of College employees about pensions, these discussions about the Teachers Pension Scheme are part of a wider Government review of public sector pensions and are currently only at the proposal stage. We believe that any industrial action about potential changes to pensions provision at this stage is premature and have expressed our disappointment to the union. It would seem that the UCU is the only trade union not waiting for the outcome of current discussions between the TUC and the Government.

“We have also expressed our concern and dissatisfaction to the UCU about their rejection of the National Joint Forum pay recommendation for 2010/11*². During negotiations the employers highlighted the significant funding pressures currently facing Colleges and the uncertainty around future funding. In such a stringent financial climate the union’s 3.5% pay claim is unrealistic.

“AoC carried out extensive research with member Colleges as to what they believed to be an affordable pay recommendation. There was a strong view within the membership in support of a pay freeze, however Colleges also want to make some form of award to staff and AoC tabled a pay recommendation of 0.2%, or £50 (whichever is the higher). We are disappointed UCU has failed to appreciate the serious financial constraints under which Colleges are operating.”


Notes:

*¹ The six unions represented on the Further Education National Joint Forum are UCU, UNISON, ACM, ALT, UNITE and GMB.

*² Please note, this is not a pay award, this is a pay recommendation put forward by the National Joint Forum, of which AoC is a member. The Further and Higher Education Act 1992 gives Corporations (Colleges) the right to determine their own terms and conditions of employment, therefore the national recommendations are advisory only.