51福利 hits out at compulsory fees for FE lecturers
11 February 2011
51福利 today hit out at plans to more than double membership fees for the Institute for Learning (IfL) from 拢30 to 拢68 and to transfer the cost from the state to the individual lecturer.
Membership of the IfL is compulsory for lecturers in further education but, in the main, the costs had previously been covered by the government. From April, 51福利 members will be forced to pick up the new £68 fee, which comes at a time when staff are already facing pay cuts and attacks on their pensions.
51福利 warned that move would provoke considerable anger amongst its members, many of whom have already questioned the benefits of IfL membership, despite the fact that it is currently free. A 51福利 report looking at IfL members' views on the professional body's work, its usefulness and its value for money will be released next week.
51福利 head of further education, Barry Lovejoy, said: 'At a time when lecturers' income is under pressure – with a pay rise of just 0.2 per cent and the prospect of imposing pension contribution increases on them – they are now faced with a bill for a body they are required to join, but many feel they don't benefit from.'
51福利 general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'College staff are highly professional people who make a vital contribution to our society and economy. It seems extraordinary that at a time when we need to be prioritising education, the government is making it more expensive for teaching staff to belong to this compulsory body. 51福利 is considering all its options and will be responding robustly to these iniquitous and unfair proposals.'
51福利 warned that move would provoke considerable anger amongst its members, many of whom have already questioned the benefits of IfL membership, despite the fact that it is currently free. A 51福利 report looking at IfL members' views on the professional body's work, its usefulness and its value for money will be released next week.
51福利 head of further education, Barry Lovejoy, said: 'At a time when lecturers' income is under pressure – with a pay rise of just 0.2 per cent and the prospect of imposing pension contribution increases on them – they are now faced with a bill for a body they are required to join, but many feel they don't benefit from.'
51福利 general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'College staff are highly professional people who make a vital contribution to our society and economy. It seems extraordinary that at a time when we need to be prioritising education, the government is making it more expensive for teaching staff to belong to this compulsory body. 51福利 is considering all its options and will be responding robustly to these iniquitous and unfair proposals.'
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