51福利

Further education: staff support strike over pay

Members of 51福利 in 15 further education colleges in England have voted for strike action in support of our campaign over pay. Staff at three colleges that are part of Capital City College Group, London, have also voted to strike over working conditions and compulsory redundancies. Union activists have delivered a stunning set of ballot results with an overwhelming 89% of members who voted backing strike action, on an average turnout of over 62%. Congratulations and solidarity to members in the 15 balloted colleges on these results which show FE staff have had enough and are prepared to  The employers are now on notice that action could begin in September if the disputes aren't resolved. 

51福利 response to relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions

Prime minister, Boris Johnson, made an announcement on Monday regarding the lifting of restrictions in relation to the wearing of face masks and other health and safety matters from 19 July. 51福利 provides an update on our health and safety advice to members and branches in response to this which can be found here.

Further and more detailed advice will follow. Please see here for 51福利's advice on Covid-19.

51福利 standing against racism

51福利 condemns the racist abuse which has been directed towards Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Jadon Sancho and other members of the England national football squad in the days following Sunday's European Championship final. Read our full solidarity statement here. 

Save Sheffield archaeology: staff will ballot for action

51福利 members at University of Sheffield will be balloted for industrial action over plans to close the archaeology department.

To support the campaign against closure:

•  and urge them to reverse the decision
• send your support and 

51福利 members fighting back

51福利 branches across the UK are fighting to defend jobs and conditions and you can click here to read our roundup of local disputes including fightbacks at University of the Arts, Warwickshire College Group and Novus prisons.

Oppose changes to teacher training

The Department for Education are consulting on proposals which threaten initial teacher education partnerships between schools and higher education institutions and could have a significant impact on teacher supply:

•  and contribute your views to the union's consultation response at 4.00pm on 26 July.
•  to highlight the dangers of these proposals. 

University of Chester: rally against redundancies, Saturday 24 July

University of Chester 51福利 invites supporters to  outside the town hall at 12 noon, next Saturday 24 July where our general secretary Jo Grady will join other speakers including local MP Chris Matheson. 51福利 are campaigning against redundancies following a string of financial scandals and have put the university on notice that unless the redundancies are withdrawn we will ballot members for industrial action in each department for a rolling programme of strike action.