51福利578A

51福利/578A, First report of the Congress Business Committee, Congress 2014

ORIGINAL TEXT OF COMPOSITED MOTIONS

Composite motion ROC4

C1听听听听听听 Zero hours contracts听听听听听听听听听 North West Regional Committee

The use of zero hour contracts is endemic across the economy and many unions are fighting them. In 2013 more than 400 workers (members of BFAWU), at a Hovis bakery in Wigan took two weeks鈥� strike action with mass pickets, which stopped the use of zero hours contracts.

51福利 is strongly opposed to the rapid increase in the number of zero hour contracts, which is part of the employers鈥� plan for a much greater number of casual contracts in FE and HE.

This Congress calls on the 51福利 to develop a national campaign by:

1) Working with all FE and HE unions and students and other unions against zero hour contracts.

2) Showing support for union action against zero hour and casual contracts such as the struggle at Hovis.

3) Urging 51福利 branches to discuss what action should be taken to stop increasing casualisation in FE and HE.

C2听听听听听听听 Zero hours contact campaign and definition of zero hours听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Open University

Congress resolves that all contracts that do not guarantee minimum hours or a minimum quantity of paid work (including for example the contracts offered to Open University Associate Lecturers) should be considered zero hours contracts and unacceptable atypical work contracts, and included in the campaign against zero hours contracts. 听听听听

C3听听听听听听听听听听听 Zero hours contracts and the living wage听听听听 Birmingham City University

Congress deplores the increase in casual and zero hours contracts in education, in all roles, including non-academic and outsourced employees.

Congress believes that these contracts are unfair to employees, impact negatively on family life and often fail to deliver a living wage.

Congress instructs the NEC to continue to fight against casualisation in education and support campaigns for

1. scrapping zero hours contracts in education

2. the living wage.

C4听听听听听听听听听听听 Zero tolerance of zero hours contracts 听听听听听听听 London Metropolitan University, City branch

51福利 Congress notes 51福利 research in 2013 evidencing use of 鈥榸ero hours鈥� contracts in over 50% of all HE and two thirds of FE institutions. Workers on these contracts have no job security, minimal access to sick or holiday pay, little opportunity for professional development and, by default, work more unpaid hours than any other worker in education.

Yet in 2013 workers from disparate working environments (Hovis bread makers and Edinburgh University lecturers) showed that zero hours contracts can be defeated.

51福利 Congress calls on 51福利 NEC:

(a) To call a lobby of Parliament (with other trade unions) calling for the outlawing of zero hours contracts.

(b) To raise 鈥榸ero hours鈥� as a campaign issue in the run up to the next election

Composite motion SFC4

C5听听听听听听听听听听听 Commemorating the 1914-18 War听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 East Midlands Regional Committee

Congress deplores the attempt by Michael Gove to shape the commemoration of the First World War into a narrow nationalist and pro-war agenda and his attacks on respected academic historians. This follows on from Gove鈥檚 attempt to re-draft the history curriculum to fit his own particular viewpoint.

Congress supports the positive initiatives being organised around the country by educationalists and a range of community groups to commemorate World War 1 from an anti-war perspective.

In particular Congress supports the work of the No Glory Campaign in co-ordinating commemoration and reflection on the causes and impact of the War and urges the branches and regions to involve themselves in its activities.

C6听听听听听听听听听听听 Commemorations of World War 1听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Committee

Congress notes the variety of interpretations among historians of World War 1.听 It defends the academic freedom to offer a range of interpretations of the war.听 It believes that students should have the right to learn about a variety of perspectives on World War 1.听 It condemns any attempts by Government ministers or others to impose a single view of the events of World War 1.

Congress condemns attempts to use the deaths and sufferings of millions of people in World War 1 as the basis for nationalistic propaganda or to mobilise support for further wars.听 It supports the 鈥楴o Glory in War鈥� campaign launched by the Stop the War Coalition.

Composite motion SFC5

C7听听听听听听听听听 People鈥檚 Assembly Against Austerity听听 University of Brighton, Grand Parade

Congress notes

the decision of the Labour Party further to distance itself from the trade union movement, and that many affiliated unions have reduced or cancelled their subscription;

that the 51福利 is not affiliated to any political party but that appropriate political affiliation is valuable for the ability of trade unions to appeal beyond the immediate ranks of the movement, and have an influence on political debates and ultimately on legislation;

that the People's Assembly is not a party but a combination of many in parties, and those in none, bringing together campaigns against cuts and privatisation, working with trade unions in a movement for social justice, and is supported by the General Secretaries of over 10 of Britain's major trade unions.

Congress resolves to:

路 affiliate to the People's Assembly, and notify members of national events and mobilisations;

路 urge branches to affiliate to local People's Assemblies.

C8听听听听听听听听听听听 The People鈥檚 Assembly听 Goldsmiths, University of London

Congress notes:
鈥� David Cameron鈥檚 Guildhall speech in November 2013 in which he said that austerity should be 鈥榩ermanent鈥�
鈥� That the majority of public sector cuts have yet to be put in place
鈥� The success of the People鈥檚 Assembly in uniting people in action against austerity from across the trade union, labour, progressive and anti-cuts movement.
Conference believes:
鈥� That an effective anti-austerity movement can facilitate the revival of workplace confidence and increase the possibility of coordinated action by trade unionists against austerity
鈥� That a weak recovery that does not raise working class living standards or stop the cuts is likely to increase anger at the government.
Conference agrees:
鈥� To confirm its support for the People鈥檚 Assembly Against Austerity
鈥� To support and actively encourage members to attend the national anti-cuts demonstration called by the People鈥檚 Assembly and the NUT on 21 June 2014.

Composite motion SFC11

C9听听听听听听听听听 The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP)听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 National Executive Committee

The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is a proposed trade deal between the USA and the EU.

Congress believes that TTIP poses profound threats to public services, including education, workers鈥� rights and environmental standards. Congress is also concerned that the talks are being pursued without any transparency or democratic oversight.

Congress resolves to:听听

鈥�听听听听听听听 oppose the TTIP as an attack on democracy on behalf of multi-national corporations;

鈥�听听听听听听听 call for all public services, including education, to be clearly excluded from the scope of the agreement;

鈥�听听听听听听听 continue to inform 51福利 members of the threat that TTIP poses to them and their industry;

鈥�听听听听听听听 campaign with MPs, peers and MEPs as far as possible, to oppose all detrimental aspects of TTIP;

鈥�听听听听听听听 press TUC and EI to widen their campaign of opposition to TTIP;听

鈥�听听听听听听听 take a motion to the 2014 TUC Congress on TTIP.听

C10听听听听听听听 Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership听听听听听听听听 Northumbria University

Congress welcomes the NEC resolution on the EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), and the consequent briefing paper, with the campaigning points therein.

The TTIP poses a profound threat to public services, including education, and is an affront to democracy. It will make disputes between companies and governments the preserve of 鈥渋nvestor-state dispute settlement鈥� (ISDS) tribunals, dominated by corporate lawyers. Such mechanisms have been used in many parts of the world to kill regulations protecting people and the environment, and would prevent future governments from renationalising privatised services.

While the European Commission has agreed to consult about the ISDS proposals, it has also stated that the mechanism is necessary because national courts 鈥渕ight be biased or lack independence.鈥�

Congress is unconvinced by the grandiose claims of job creation by the TTIP, and considers that the dangers posed by this proposed treaty vastly outweigh any potential benefits.

C11听听听听听听听 Organising against the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership听 London Retired Members鈥� Branch

The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the USA and the EU threatens to increase global inequality, undermine democracy, damage the environment and hand public service provision to multinational companies.

51福利 Congress:

1. calls upon the TUC to robustly oppose the TTIP at both national and international level, seeking allies amongst other union federations in Europe and the United States.

2. instructs the NEC to campaign vigorously against all aspects of the TTIP, particularly in defence of public health and education provision and protection of the environment.

3. requests all branches to raise the issue in local trades councils and other bodies to which they are affiliated.

C12听听听听听听听 Investor State Dispute Settlement听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 University of Glasgow

The Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) envisaged within the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) as well as EU-level trade agreements under negotiation with Singapore, Canada and India, would give dangerous, unfettered rights to private investors to threaten public services and sue governments or public authorities were they to block company profit-making by legislating in the public interest. This threatens the scope of governments to choose to restore areas of service currently run by the private sector back into public ownership. The secretive, bureaucratic, and costly nature of ISDS processes inevitably favours multinational corporations.

This meeting instructs NEC to:

鈥� continue to raise awareness of TTIP and ISDS;

鈥� lobby MPs and MEPs in opposition to all detrimental aspects of such trade agreements

鈥� present a motion to TUC Congress 2014 on TTIP/ISDS

鈥� continue to call for the exclusion of public services, including tertiary education, from trade negotiations.

Composite motion SFC30

C13听听听听 Model local branch/LA rules听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Leeds Metropolitan University

Congress notes the proposed changes to model local branch/local association Rules agreed by the NEC majority in November 2013 and subsequently passed to branches for adoption.

In the interests of union democracy, and to ensure the fullest and most open discussion, Congress instructs the new NEC to withdraw these proposed changes and inform branches/local associations that the status quo ante (ie the model local branch Rules prior to November 2013) will prevail until such time as a future Annual Congress Rules session might adopt any relevant Rule changes.

C14听听听听 Model branch/local association rules听听听听 South East Regional Committee

Congress notes the proposed changes to model Branch/Local Association Rules agreed by the NEC in November 2013 and subsequently passed to Branches/Local Associations for adoption.

In the interests of union democracy, and to ensure the fullest and most open discussion, Congress instructs the new NEC to withdraw these proposed changes and inform Branches/Local Associations that the status quo ante (i.e. the model Branch/Local Association Rules prior to November 2013) will prevail until such time as a future Annual Congress Rules session might adopt any relevant Rule changes.

Composite motion R1

C15听听听听 Amend Rule 12.6听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Leeds Metropolitan University

At the end of Rule 12.6 delete 鈥渢he Rules of the union and with any guidance issued by the National Executive Committee.鈥� And replace with 鈥淢odel Local Rules agreed by Congress鈥�.
The relevant sentence would then read:
Branches/local associations shall adopt their own Rules which shall be consistent with Model Local Rules agreed by Congress

Purpose

Since late 2012 this last part of Rule 12.6 has been interpreted by some of the NEC to mean that the NEC has the authority to propose substantial changes to the union鈥檚 Rules without any reference back to Congress. Many members have also suggested that the NEC is not the appropriate body to amend these Rules which should be done by Annual Congress delegates in an appropriate Rules revision session.

C16听听听听 Rule 12.6听听听听听听 South East Regional Committee

Amend Rule 12.6:

At the end of Rule 12.6 delete 鈥渢he Rules of the union and with any guidance issued by the National Executive Committee.鈥� And replace with 鈥淢odel Local Rules agreed by Congress鈥�.

The relevant sentence would then read:
"Branches/Local Associations shall adopt their own Rules which shall be consistent with Model Local Rules agreed by Congress"

Purpose听

To clarify the current woolly and indistinct wording of 12.6 which is open to misinterpretation.

C17听听听听 Rule change: Rule 12.6听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Greenwich Community College

Amend Rule 12.6:

At the end of Rule 12.6 delete 鈥渢he Rules of the union and with any guidance issued by the National Executive Committee.鈥� And replace with 鈥�Model Local Rules agreed by Congress鈥�.

The relevant sentence would then read:

Branches/local associations shall adopt their own Rules which shall be consistent with Model Local Rules agreed by Congress.

Purpose

The following Rule change motion is therefore proposed which would ensure that changes to model local branch Rules are less likely to be encouraged by the current indistinct wording of 12.6 which is open to misinterpretation.

Composite motion EQ4

C18听听听听 Support for anti-racist and anti-fascist organisations听听听听听听听听听听听 Barnsley College

Congress notes the recent resurgence and public confidence of far-right, fascist and racist groups nationally and across Europe. The votes gained by fascist parties across Europe, and the disturbing role of ultra nationalist groups in Ukraine and Russia are reminders of the need for the trade union movement to remain vigilant and committed to working with anti-fascist and anti-racist organisations.

Congress congratulates all those involved in organising the Anti-Racism Day Demonstration on March 22nd in London and resolves to:

a. Reaffirm 51福利鈥檚 commitment to supporting and where necessary actively engaging with, anti-racist and anti-fascist organisations

b. Encourage all branches to forge links with anti-racist and anti-fascist organisations locally and regionally

c. Challenge statements made by public figures and the media which give credibility and strength to far-right arguments and promote scapegoating

C19听听听听 UKIP and the rise of the far right in Europe听听听听听 University of Hertfordshire

Congress notes with alarm the rise and electoral success of far鈥搑ight parties in parts of Europe. Congress notes that such success has been born out of austerity measures and the demands of the international banking system that has put profit before people.

Congress notes that far-right parties in the UK have not enjoyed such success. The bankruptcy of the BNP and the break-up of the EDL leadership can be attributed to the unremitting campaigning of organisations such as the trade union movement and Unite Against Fascism who have confronted and opposed such groups whenever and wherever they appear in public. Congress applauds the work of these organisations and pledges its continuing support for their actions.

Congress notes the growing electoral successes of UKIP and calls upon 51福利 and the wider trade union movement to confront and expose the racism and xenophobia which lies behind this party鈥檚 policies.

Composite motion EQ5

C20听听听听 Immigration 51福利 Wales Council

Congress deplores Government attempts to demonise immigrants and blame them for failing and inadequate public services.

Congress believes that such scurrilous tactics are deliberately aimed at scapegoating minority groups to divert attention from the real causes of the economic crisis - greedy and irresponsible bankers.

The trade union movement has a long and proud tradition of resisting and fighting prejudice and discrimination.

As a teaching union, 51福利 believes that many of our students will face additional prejudice as a result of the Government's intolerant and stereo-typical attitude to immigration, and reaffirms its commitment to campaign against racism and bigotry.

C21听听听听 Movement against xenophobia听听听 University of Aberdeen

51福利 notes:

鈥� The Coalition government is rushing the Immigration Bill through parliament.

鈥� The Bill proposes reducing the right of migrants to appeal against deportation; compels workers to police the immigration status of others, and undermines the right to family life enshrined in the Human Rights Act.

51福利 believes:

鈥� Immigrants are contributors to public finances. The pressure on people鈥檚 income and on public services is a result of austerity and employers鈥� attacks on wages and conditions.

鈥� Pandering to anti-immigrant arguments normalises racism, helping fuel the growth of right-wing political forces.

鈥� Campaigns such as MAX are necessary to counter the scapegoating of immigrants.

51福利 resolves:

鈥� To oppose the Immigration Bill and call on MPs to vote against it.

鈥� To call on the Labour party and future UK and/or Scottish governments to undertake to repeal it.

鈥� To affiliate to Movement Against Xenophobia (MAX) and support its initiatives.

C22听听听听 Countering racism and xenophobia听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Eastern & Home Counties regional committee

51福利 condemns the ill-informed arguments and xenophobic language used about migrant workers in the mainstream media and by the government.

51福利 notes that academic research points to the positive economic contribution made by migrant workers

51福利 regrets the failure of the all mainstream parties to use the rigorous academic research available to counteract commonly accepted myths.

Congress instructs the General Secretary to issue public statements, when appropriate, celebrating the diversity of students and staff in colleges and universities and celebrating the economic and cultural contribution of migrants in society.

Congress instructs officers to draw on the expertise of our members who are migration specialists to produce a short fact sheet for members which dispels the myths on migrant workers. Further, Congress also instructs the 51福利 to consider affiliating to campaigns against xenophobia.

C23听听听听 Celebrating Migrants and Refugees听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 National Executive Committee

51福利 celebrates the presence of migrants and refugees and congratulates them on their amazing contributions to culture and society, particularly in education, research and the labour movement.

51福利 condemns attacks on them by government and media, particularly the cap on international students and the 鈥榤igrants go home鈥� vans.听

Congress instructs NEC to:

1.听 Issue a public statement celebrating the contribution of migrants and refugees and reissue appropriately modified versions whenever there is an attack.

2.听 Produce a resource pack for teaching and general campaigning, on:

(i) The invaluable contribution of migrants and refugees to society, particularly in education, research and labour movement.

(ii) The importance of internationalism for education and research.

(iii) The value of academic and cultural exchanges and cultural diversity.

(iv) Emigration from UK

3. 听 Step up the campaign for repeal of the cap on overseas student numbers. 听听听听听听听听

4.听 Work with other organisations to overturn racist immigration policy.

Original text of motions composited 鈥� HE sector conference

Composite motion HE9

C24听听听听 Vice-Chancellors鈥� pay听听听听听听听听 Southern HE Sector Committee

This Sector Conference notes with revulsion and anger the excessive pay awards enjoyed by VC's while 1% has been imposed on other employees.

Conference condemns the resulting widening gap between the pay of those responsible for delivering higher education and the fortunes bestowed on senior staff, who, far from looking after the institutions in their care, are enthusiastic defenders of their own pay cheques, happy to do the government's bidding while receiving massive annual increases, at a time when their colleagues and students face increasing hardship.

Conference also condemns the rank hypocrisy manifested by this trend, as managers claim that financial restraint is necessary for the rest of us, but not for them.

Conference instructs NEC to:

a) intensify its campaign for increased transparency over executive pay

b) maximise publicity regarding the inequality of university pay

c) Work together with the NUS to expose and oppose inflated 'top' pay.

C25听听听听 Senior Staff Pay Awards听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Yorkshire and Humberside HE Sector Committee

This HE sector Conference notes:

1. The above inflation pay rises awarded to Vice Chancellors across the HE sector

2. That Vice Chancellors are effectively being rewarded for the achievements and hard work of all university staff.

3. That Vice Chancellors' pay awards are usually decided by committees that are not representative of the workforce.

4. That the 51福利 campaign 鈥楩air Pay For All鈥� is not actively supported by these Vice Chancellors.

This HE Sector Conference calls on HEC to campaign for:

1. Pay of Vice Chancellors and other senior staff to be determined by a fair and transparent process.

2. Elected members of staff to have at least one seat on any committee that determines the remuneration of Vice Chancellors.

3. A reduction in the pay gap between highest and lowest earners in HE.

Composite motion HE20

C26听听听听 Casualisation, teaching-only contracts and research听听听听听听听听听听听听 Birmingham City University

HE Sector Conference notes:

-听听听 the increasing prevalence of casualised teaching-only contracts, particularly in the run-up to the REF

-听听听 the challenges faced by casualised staff in developing publications because of workloads and job search demands, but publications are necessary for securing permanent employment

-听听听 casualised staff must often conduct research on their own time, with limited institutional support

HE Sector Conference believes:

-听听听 Casual contracts and teaching-only contracts are detrimental to research, and to the next generation of academics

-听听听 Teaching-only contracts risk polarising the workforce into teachers and researchers, with teaching perceived as inferior

HE Sector Conference resolves:

-听听听 To affirm existing Congress policy opposing casualised teaching-only contracts

-听听听 To research the equality impact of casualisation, and in particular casualised teaching-only contracts;

-听听听 To research the impact of such contracts on early career researchers

-听听听 To offer guidance to branches instructing them to campaign and negotiate research support for casualised staff.

C27听听听听 Teaching Focussed Contracts 听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Higher Education Committee

Conference notes the increased prominence given to teaching in the current policy environment and that a well-supported members鈥� survey on the use of teaching-focussed contracts raised a number of issues associated with pay, progression and promotion and ongoing research requirements.

Conference welcomes the development of bargaining advice by HEC on the use of teaching-focussed contracts.

Composite motion HE38

C28听听听听 Support for Student Activists听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 University of Glasgow

HESC thanks NUS and other student activists for the magnificent support they have shown for the pay Campaign in HE. 51福利 condemns the increasingly brutal tactics being used to silence student activists.

51福利 resolves to:

1. Actively campaign for University of Birmingham management to lift the suspensions of five students and West Midlands police to lift the draconian bail conditions imposed on them.

2. Put pressure on UUK to recognise the right of students to protest.

3. Together with NUS and other student activists draw up a charter enshrining the democratic right of students and staff to engage in peaceful protest, including occupations and public statements.

C29听听听听 Support for University of Birmingham student activists听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 University of Birmingham

Conference recognises the continuing and increasingly draconian approach adopted by University managers towards student activists engaging in protests against the privatisation and marketisation of education.

Conference notes that this has been especially severe at the University of Birmingham this academic year. At least 9 student activists have been subject to disciplinary procedures as a result of protest activity on campus. Five students have been suspended for a number of weeks, and two remain suspended indefinitely and without a right of appeal. None of these students have been found guilty of any crime, and nor have they yet been found by the University to have broken University rules.

Conference calls for 51福利 to campaign for the lifting of these suspensions, to inform all branch officers of these events, and to seek the support of 51福利 branches for the lifting of these suspensions.

Composite motion HE39

C30听听听听 Hastings branch听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 University of Brighton, Falmer

HESC notes that:

鈥� University of Brighton 51福利 members based at the Hasting campus are subsumed within the Eastbourne branch;

鈥� the Hastings campus is up to 1 hour travelling time from the Eastbourne campus;

鈥� neither the culture nor the facilities exist in the University for virtual meetings;

鈥� the request from University of Brighton 51福利, supported by members at the Hasting campus, for a new 51福利 branch at the Hasting Campus. was refused in 2012 by the HEC, and a similar motion to this was not arrived at in the HESC agenda in 2013.

HESC believes that this is an unreasonable decision taken by the HEC. It deprives 51福利 members at the Hastings campus of access to effective representation by and in the 51福利.

HESC instructs HEC to accept the request of 51福利 members based at the Hasting campus of the University of Brighton to form a new 51福利 branch.

C31听听听听 Recognition of new 51福利 Branch at Hastings听听听听 University of Brighton, Eastbourne

Hastings branch

HESC notes that:

鈥� University of Brighton 51福利 members based at the Hasting campus are subsumed within the Eastbourne branch;

鈥� the Hastings campus is up to 1 hour travelling time from the Eastbourne campus;

鈥� neither the culture nor the facilities exist in the University for virtual meetings;

HESC believes that this is an unreasonable decision taken by the HEC. It deprives 51福利 members at the Hastings campus of access to effective representation by and in the 51福利.

HESC instructs HEC to accept the request of 51福利 members based at the Hasting campus of the University of Brighton to form a new 51福利 branch.

Original text of motions composited 鈥� FE sector conference

Composite motion FE15

C32听听听听 FE lesson observation policy听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Further Education Committee

Conference notes:

路 The research report by Dr Matt O鈥橪eary commissioned by 51福利;

路 Growing concern in branches over graded observations which treat lesson observations as primarily capability and performance indicators;

路 Some management have sought to remove safeguards such as negative preference, realistic observation windows, acceptable periods of notification.

Conference believes lesson observations should:

路 incorporate the O鈥橪eary report recommendations, ie they should be supportive mechanisms for better professional learning, disaggregated from performance indicators;

路 include elements of professional self-assessment, peer review and practical teaching support, and should appreciate the need for contextualising teaching.

路 include timetabled feedback.

听Conference resolves to:

路 Step up campaigning for developmental , ungraded observations;

路 encourage regional FE committees to identify one or more colleges in which to encourage campaigns for such observation policies;

路 ensure that every college observation policy has been agreed with the 51福利 branch subject to 51福利 national guidelines.

C33听听听听 Graded lesson observations听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 New College Nottingham

Conference notes the continuing prominence of Graded Lesson Observations as a source of rancour, conflict and stress for lecturers.

We recognise that this represents one of the biggest attacks on our conditions of employment and professional status that we have faced and as such, it is incumbent on 51福利 to mount a vigorous campaign.

The recent research by Dr Matt O鈥橪eary makes a number of recommendations that can be used as a starting point:

1. Explore alternative supportive models of observation

2. Prioritise the professional development needs of staff

3. Formal allocation of timetabled hours for observation: pre-observation, feedback and feed-forward meetings

4. Need for a multi-dimensional model of teacher assessment

5. Stop relying on the Ofsted 4-point scale to assess and measure observations.

We must also consider other courses of action such as balloting members for organised boycotts of Graded Lesson Observations, already carried out by some branches.

C34听听听听 Graded observations听听听听听听听听听 College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London

Conference notes:

1 The attempts by management at some colleges to introduce harsh new observation regimes, including the graded re-observation of teachers who obtain a Grade 3

2 The punitive, as opposed to supportive, use of graded observations, including in some instances the linking of Grade 3 to capability procedures and possible dismissal.

Conference believes:

1听 That graded observations are often based on spurious criteria and have little pedagogical value.

2听 That they are used by managements as a method of controlling and bullying teachers rather than of genuinely improving their performance.

Conference resolves:

1听 To campaign for the abolition of graded observations across the sector.

2听 To insist that the union offers its full support to branches in dispute over observations.

3听 To mandate the 51福利 to develop a toolkit on observations.

C35听听听听 Teaching and Learning Observation Policy听听听听听听听 Yorkshire and Humberside FE Sector Committee

51福利 believes that Teaching and Learning Observations that are developmental and ungraded, when used within a supportive framework, can be a highly effective method of developing classroom practice and teacher confidence.

Many colleges appear very keen to promote an experimental or innovative approach at present (COPPS). However, the present system only reinforces the importance of 鈥減laying safe鈥� as a Grade 3 or 4 may lead to a capability charge against a well-qualified and experienced lecturer. Many lecturers experience observations as punitive and highly stressful. Observations are used in many colleges as a tool to control and discipline teachers.

Yorkshire and Humberside calls on conference to draw on the research undertaken by Professor Matt O鈥橪eary and to actively support branches that are experiencing observation policies that have been imposed on their members without a meaningful negotiation with 51福利.

C36听听听听 Lesson Observations and the Latest Research听听听听听听听听听听听听 East Midlands FE sector committee

Conference notes:

1) The increasingly draconian lesson observation policies being used in the FE sector.

2) The recent research by Matt O鈥橪eary and others suggesting that graded lesson observations have little or no value.

Conference resolves:

1) That 51福利 should make use of this research to arm branches with additional guidance in their struggle with management.

2) That we should campaign nationally, regionally and at branch level for a minimum requirement of non-graded observations and no link with Capability procedures.

Composite motion FE18

C37听听听听 FE Funding听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Further Education Committee

Conference deplores the continued government cuts to funding for FE and in particular:

路 EFA cut to 18 year old funding

路 19+ apprentice funding frozen and

路 Remainder of Adult Skills Budget cut 15%

This all comes after four years of already savage cuts resulting in mass redundancies and increased workloads for those who remain.

All this coming at a time when the government wants to increase education participation to 18 years and while further education plays a vital role give choices and second chances to an otherwise new generation lost to under employment.

Conference supports the union鈥檚 past campaigning on funding such as the Knowledge Economy initiative and the parliamentary lobby held on 2 April 2014. Conference pledges to continue to campaign together with other appropriate organisations for increased funding for Further Education.

C38听听听听 18+ Funding听听听听听听听听听听听听听 London Regional Committee

This conference rejects the government's cut in funding for 18+ students. This will hit those students who need extra time to achieve their qualifications and who are often those in most need of extra support. It will impact hardest on the most disadvantaged and undermine the ability of the Further Education sector to offer a second chance to those who do not succeed at school. Conference agrees to make a campaign against this policy a priority.

C39听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Funding Cuts for 18+ students听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Yorkshire & Humberside FE sector committee

This conference rejects the government鈥檚 cut in funding for 18+ students. This will hit those students who need extra time to achieve their qualifications and who are often those in most need of extra support. It will impact hardest on the most disadvantaged and undermine the ability of the Further Education sector to offer a second chance to those who do not succeed at school. Conference agrees to make a campaign against this policy a priority.

C40听听听听 Post-18 Funding cuts听听听听听听听听听 Southern FE Sector Committee

Sector Conference condemns the 17.5% Government cut in funding to post-18 students.

For lecturers, this will lead to workload increases, cutting courses, combining classes and redundancies.

For students, it also has a disproportionate effect on those with support needs. Furthermore, it seriously disadvantages student progression and opportunities for training and re-training. This is an equality issue.

For the economy, this goes against the alleged Government intention to have a skilled workforce.

We commend 51福利 for its response to this issue and call upon the FEC to intensify the campaign against these appallingly pernicious cuts, working with regions, branches, other unions, the AOC, employers, students, parents, the media and other stakeholders to fight for a reversal of this cut, and the implementation of adequate funding for FE and Adult students.

C41听听听听 Cuts in Funding for 18+ students Oxford and Cherwell Valley College

Conference notes the government has decided to cut funding for 18 year olds studying in England. From next year, 18 year-old students in England will see their funding cut by 17.5%. The move, as part of George Osborne鈥檚 Autumn Statement, comes as the compulsory education age goes up to 18, and is bad news for students and for colleges.
Across England, the move is expected to affect around 100,000 young people, and while numbers affected will vary from college to college it will make it much more difficult for FE Colleges to make adequate provision for this group of students. Also FE Colleges are likely to be disproportionately affected, compared to schools, because of the larger number of 18+ students.

Conference opposes this reduction in funding and calls for a publicity campaign by 51福利 alerting students, parents and college staff to this change.

C42听听听听 Cuts in Funding听听听听听听听听 North West FE Sector Committee

Conference condemns the government鈥檚 intention to cut funding for 18 years olds by 17.5%. These cuts will have a disproportionate impact on FE Colleges and 6th Form Colleges.

The cuts will mean that 18 year olds in Colleges will be funded at a lower rate that 16 & 17 year olds. These 18 year olds are often among the most vulnerable students, many having started programmes of learning at 16 or 17 and may need time and support to complete.
Conference calls on the FE Committee to lead on an urgent campaign that is able to quantify the impact of these cuts and that challenges the government鈥檚 agenda to focus cuts on the most vulnerable.

Composite motion FE21

C43听听听听 National campaign to protect and defend adult education听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 City and Islington College, Finsbury Park

Conference notes:
1. The Coalition Government鈥檚 funding cuts to Further & Adult Education amount to a 34% cut since 2010
2. This year there is an additional 9% cut to the Adult Funding Rate
3. Figures published by the National Office for Statistics indicate that
(i) 15% of 16-64yr olds in this country have no qualifications
(ii) In 50 local council areas across the country this figure rises to 1 in 5 (20%)
Conference听 believes:
That it is a scandal that the Government are cutting funding to Further & Adult Education and making lecturers unemployed when there are more than a million adults who could be in college learning skills and receiving education to help them get a job.
Conference resolves:
To launch a national campaign to protect and defend Adult Education.

C44听听听听 Cuts in adult education 听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Richmond Adult Community College

Conference notes

1.听听听听 The Continued attacks on Adult Education.

2. 听听听 Most courses that are non-qualification courses are being closed

3. 听听听 There are no opportunities for adults, particularly those on benefits or in low paid jobs, to retrain or gain new skills.

4.听听听听 Qualification courses, such as Access courses are being cut and curtailed .The situation has now been made worse by the introduction of fees.

5.听听听听 Millions of people who are not working because of ill health or because of retirement are not able to attend courses that would improve and or maintain their physical and mental well-being.

Conference resolves

1.听听听听听听 That 51福利 make Adult learning and its role in the Community a Central campaigning issue.

2. 听听听听听 That this campaign is part of a strategic lobbying and public campaigning that aims to influence all political parties听听 and voters in the run up to the coming General Election.