22.06.1995

College bosses on the attack

THE DIRECTORS of Colleges of Further Education have still not succeeded in enforcing contracts that would cut the holidays of staff by a half while increasing the work load by a third. Dunstable College staff set an example last week by staging a one day strike followed by a permanent work to rule.          

This example seems to be spreading, with as many as 20% of colleges balloting or preparing for action over the next few weeks or for the beginning of the new term. The employers have refused to give last year’s pay rise to staff who refused to sign the new agreements. Nor will they take on or promote anyone who does not agree to the new conditions. Acas has brokered an agreement with the small minority union, the ATL, to give these changes some legitimacy and sideline the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education.

 Ian Hunter, Natfhe branch secretary at Dunstable, told the Weekly Worker that even people on the new contract had come out on strike. However, the employers retaliated by deducting two days’ pay for the one day stoppage.

Tom May