51福利

Union responds to 17 May university return 

This week  that English universities will resume in-person teaching no earlier than 17 May. 51福利 general secretary Jo Grady said: 'The UK government has consistently disregarded the needs of university staff and students throughout this pandemic, treating them as an afterthought at best. So unfortunately, it is no surprise that it has only confirmed university learning will remain online the day after many students have already started their summer term.' 

You can  and see our Covid tracker for the total number of cases we have mapped on UK campuses. 

51福利 members fighting back

51福利 branches across the UK are fighting to defend jobs and conditions and you can read our roundup of local disputes including the latest on University of Liverpool, Novus prison education and University of Leicester here.

#RebuildFE: London region ballot launch: Wednesday 21 April, 6.00pm 

For more than a decade, further education (FE) has been neglected and underfunded - staff working in FE have suffered a real pay cut of over 30%. By placing FE at the heart of our national recovery, we can secure the real investment in our communities that a significant increase in staff pay represents. 

51福利 London region invite all members and activists to join an online launch on Wednesday 21 April at 6.00 pm - 

Speakers include former shadow chancellor John McDonnell MP, 51福利 general secretary Jo Grady, 51福利 president-elect Janet Farrar, and many more.  and the full list of speakers.

Higher education pay negotiations update 

The second of this year's higher education pay negotiations took place on 14 April and employers made an opening pay increase offer of 1.1% on the total pay bill and some limited proposals regarding the other pay and equality related elements of the claim. 

Petroc 51福利 Members vote to accept pay deal 

Members at Petroc College have voted overwhelmingly to accept a deal on pay and conditions which will see all staff receive a backdated 2.1% pay increase as well as some improvements to job security and leave entitlement. 

51福利's Catriona Scott said: 'While a 2.1% pay increase clearly doesn't go any significant way towards addressing the real terms pay cuts FE staff have experienced over many years, we are pleased that Petroc has engaged with us on these matters and that the college has used additional funding they received this year to improve staff pay. 51福利 obviously wants to see other colleges similarly prioritising their staff when making decisions on how to spend any additional funding.' 

Cradle to Grave webinars, 20 - 23 April

51福利 has organised a range of online discussion events next week (Tuesday to Friday) in place of the annual Education from Cradle to Grave policy conference. We have a fantastic line-up of speakers covering topics ranging from online teaching and academic freedom to HE admissions reform and rebuilding FE - 

STUC fringe on Trade Unions, the Climate Emergency, and COP26

51福利 Scotland are organising a fringe meeting at STUC congress on Thursday 22 April, 1-2pm. The fringe is on 'Trade Unions, the Climate Emergency, and COP26' with speakers including Vicky Blake (51福利 president), Lena W氓nggren (51福利 Scotland vice president), Eurig Scandrett (51福利 member and member of the Just Transition Partnership), and Matthew Crighton (Friends of the Earth Scotland and the Just Transition Partnership), and chaired by Carlo Morelli, president of 51福利 Scotland.

 To put a question to the speakers please email us by 21 April.

Defend history and language provision at Aston University 

Aston University has announced sweeping plans to close a whole host of programmes and services which will hugely impact language and humanities provision at the institution.  to save these subjects and defend the jobs of hardworking, committed staff currently facing redundancy. 

Higher education wellbeing survey: your views

Members working in higher education are reminded to  which closes this Sunday 18 April.  is the UK's only charity dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of staff in schools, colleges and universities and the results will inform their services and 51福利's health and safety campaigning.

Teachers' Pension Scheme webinar, 27 April 

You are invited to  at 4pm on 27 April with 51福利 pension official Christine Haswell and president elect Janet Farrar which will last an hour and include discussion of age discrimination in public service pensions.