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.

WELSH STRIKE WINS IMPORTANT ASSEMBLY SUPPORT
Now Keep the Pressure on Fforwm


Craig Lewis (UCU Wales FE National Negotiator, pc)

Strike action by UCU members in Wales has had an immediate impact. John Griffiths, the Deputy Minister for Skills, has written formally to Wales UCU confirming that the Welsh Assembly Government expects colleges to maintain pay parity and the newly agreed national pay scale. The minister has also stated in writing that if any institution fails to honour the agreement in full then funds will be clawed back.

This is undoubtedly a success. It is a clear political signal that the colleges should stop blocking progression through the new upper pay scale. It also shows that effective and well organised strike action pays off. UCU members in Wales are to be congratulated for their magnificent support on April 16. Unfortunately the college employers’ organisation, Fforwm, has not made any response to the Minister’s statement. Members in Wales know from past experience that hard-line principals will still look for ways round the agreement. Incorporation gives colleges all the autonomy they need in employee relations to ignore ministerial statements.

Wales FESC has made a tactical mistake in suspending the non-strike sanctions until May 30 to allow colleges time to respond. Withdrawal from institutional self assessment procedures should have been maintained until the employers had given a categorical assurance that they would comply with the national agreement and allow lecturers to progress through the upper scale. Fforwm will see the suspension as a sign of union weakness and as vindication of their threat to impose punitive pay deductions for partial performance.

UCU is on the brink of a significant victory in Wales. We can make the national agreement stick and ensure that colleges never again try to undermine it. To do this, activists must work hard to rebuild the momentum. We need to argue that you fight punitive pay docking by stepping up the action not backing down. We also need to get FESC on 31 May to reinstate the non strike sanctions and build for further strike action if the employers have not given an absolute commitment to funding progression through the upper scale. Future strikes will be more effective if they are co-ordinated with action by English colleagues and the NUT. This means arguing for the next strike to be on June 9.
Related Material

Apr 20th - Wales FE - Report of April 16th Strike Action - details here

Apr 10th - Wales FE - Background to the Strike - details here

Copyright © UCU Left
Webmaster: Mark Campbell