51福利

51福利 Rising: shape the next steps of our disputes and prepare for the MAB

Time is running out for members in higher education to vote in our formal consultation on the latest proposals in our pay and conditions and USS pensions disputes. This is your chance to shape the next steps of the dispute--every vote counts.

The e-ballot closes on Monday 17 April at 10:00. If you have not received your ballot you can order a replacement via this form [link closed].

The higher education committee (HEC) has called for a marking and assessment boycott (MAB) to begin from Thursday 20 April. This means that from Thursday 20 April we are asking you to cease undertaking all summative marking and associated assessment activities/duties. The boycott also covers assessment-related work such as exam invigilation and the processing of marks. 

In preparation for this, all members are asked to read the MAB guide here and are invited to the final MAB training session on Monday 17 April at 17:00 - . We will also be sharing a recording with you imminently.

Members are reminded to attend local meetings and make their views known to their reps in advance of the special higher education sector conference (SHESC) on Wednesday 19 April which will decide on the next steps in our disputes including the MAB.

Respect FE: what has happened to college pay?

 Our recent Respect FE consultation showed an amazing 87% of members who voted (51% turnout) said they would back a strike action ballot over pay, conditions and national bargaining. 

51福利's special further education sector conference (SFESC) took place on Saturday 1 April) and you can read the motions debated here. Please watch this space for an update on decisions coming soon.

Meanwhile 51福利 college branches continue the fight for a better deal including Barnet and Southgate College 51福利, who have just voted for industrial action over pay and workload, and industrial action ballots at Tyne Coast College, Bury College and Blackburn College. 

Petition to University of Leeds vice-chancellor and senior management

University of Leeds management decided to make further pay deductions at a rate of 100% for staff who do not deliver teaching missed on strike days i.e. additional deductions far beyond the days for which 51福利 members were already not paid while participating in strike action.  to revoke this punitive action.

Anti-casualisation legal toolkit

This new toolkit is designed to help members understand how the law may help them in the fight against casualisation and its limitations.

Anti-casualisation committee seeking new members

The anti-casualisation committee (ACC) is looking for new members from FE (four places) and HE (one place) to join them for the forthcoming year. ACC advises the union on all things anti-casualisation and meet three times a year (currently on-line). No experience is necessary, but you should be employed on a casualised contract (or most recently employed on such a contract if you are currently out of work). If you are interested or would like to know more, please contact Jane Thompson before Tuesday 18 April.

51福利 LGBT+ research conference 2023

The 2023 51福利 LGBT+ research conference will be held as a hybrid event on Friday 19 May at the University of Manchester. This is an open event; delegates do not have to be 51福利 members. However, if the in-person places are over-subscribed, 51福利 members will be given priority access.