The UCU Left is a national organisation of University and College Union activists. It is committed to ensuring that the new union has a democratic structure through which members can determine policy, and elected officers and professional officials can be held accountable. It seeks to defend educational equality, and to oppose the consequences of neo-liberal marketisation. It is opposed to all forms of racism, sexism, oppression and imperialism.
Support Harlow College UCU
By Adam Amor, Harlow College UCU Branch Secretary

On April 19, in response to one of the most draconian and punitive proposed contracts seen anywhere in the country, Harlow College UCU voted nem com (without opposition) to ballot the members for industrial action - short of a strike and strike action. 205 academic staff are at risk of redundancy if they do not re-apply for their jobs or are unsuccessful in accessing any of the available posts.

This is only as a last resort, as the principalship are refusing to engage with staff in any meaningful way. Staff are concerned about the impact this will have on retaining and recruiting good quality lecturers. Even Bill Rammell has advised the college that to “bring about positive change, they have to involve and engage the staff in all aspects of that change”.

What the new contract will mean

  • 35% of staff will be forced onto unqualified (support staff) contracts and pay. This will mean over a £10,000 pay cut for affected staff, a massive increase in teaching hours and a loss of holiday. Practically every aspect of their lecturer terms and conditions of service will be eroded.


  • Working 10-hour weekday and 6 hours on a Saturday can be imposed by managers. Thus, staff may be expected to work up to a maximum of 56 hours a week and be available to be called in for up to 76 hours


  • No upper limit on the amount of weekly and annual teaching contact hours. This means that staff could be expected to teach up from a minimum of 37 hours to a maximum of 56 hours each and every working week.


  • Losing nearly 3 to 5 weeks holiday


  • Banding the nationally agreed 8 point scale and therefore blocking automatic pay progression to the maximum point - due to the 3 bands that will now be imposed.


  • Contractual changes making employment much more insecure and as such will reinforce the culture of bullying and intimidation presently experienced on campus


This is a massive onslaught on FE conditions of service. We believe this is the beginning of an attack on further education in general and is therefore a NATIONAL ISSUE. If imposed, it will set a precedent for other ‘contract busting’ managements across the country.

Messages of Support

Please send messages of support to Branch Secretary - Adam Amor - aamor@ednet.harlow-college.ac.uk
Resources

National UCU Leaflet - May 19th Day of Action (PDF)

Petition Supporting Harlow College UCU (PDF)


Press Reports

The Guardian (24/4) - 'Turmoil at college in minister's back yard'

Harlow Herald (12/4) - 'Staff at risk in shake up'



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