Lambeth College staff who have been on strike since June 3 over new contracts went back to work today — just two days before the summer break.

The move, which means workers will be entitled to full holiday pay having returned to work before the end of the college year, comes after three days of talks between college principal Mark Silverman (pictured below) and the University and College Union (UCU), which accepted an hour’s increase in teaching per week to 36.

However, staff are still refusing to accept a 10-day reduction in annual leave entitlement to 50 days — and the UCU warned further industrial action next year was possible.

A UCU spokesperson said: “We have succeeded in getting management to talk to us despite the principal’s initial refusal to do so while we were still out on strike.

“Our action has also led to a small amount of movement on the contracts, and we now believe that further action next year can keep up the pressure and get a better deal.”

Mr Silverman has said the terms of the new contract, which was introduced from April 1, were “in line with sector norms,” but the UCU  has said it would leave staff with longer working hours, less sick pay and less annual leave.

“I am deeply disappointed that despite three days of negotiations with UCU, the members rejected the proposal taken to them by the full time officers,” said Mr Silverman.Mark Silverman

“We are clear that the new contract for new staff will remain in place.  We had moved on to talk about how there might be changes in the contract for existing staff and made very constructive proposals, including the reduction in holiday pay being phased in over a four-year period with staff agreeing to teach an additional one hour per week from September 2015.

“Even these extremely moderate changes have been rejected by the union.”

The return to work comes amid UCU claims that Mr Silverman had threatened to axe courses for disabled students and English for Speakers of Other Languages (Esol) if it did not accept the new contract proposals.

He said the courses had been put at risk by the strike, adding that it would be “irresponsible to recruit students if the teachers weren’t guaranteed to be there in September”.

The UCU, which had been supporting strikers by paying them £50 a-day in lieu of college wages, said the return to work would allow it to “get a fresh mandate” from members for the new academic year, adding that staff had committed to working during the enrolment period “to secure the future of the college”.

The UCU spokesperson said: “All efforts were made on the union’s part to reach an agreement that would bring the dispute to an end. Unfortunately, management put forward a proposal that shows very little movement on the new contracts.”

Mr Silverman has said the contract change was part of the college’s recovery plan following financial deficits of £4.1m in 2012/13 and £3.5m this year.

“I am absolutely clear that we have to deliver these changes to be fit for purpose,” he said.

“I have thanked the overwhelming majority of staff who have worked extra hard to cover those who chose to go on strike. The strike has achieved absolutely nothing in terms of changing the college’s resolve to deliver improved outcomes.

“In the short term, it has caused the setback for some learners, which I deeply regret and which should have been avoided. Union members have simply put themselves before the students. It is as simple as that.

“UCU needs to understand that it is contributing to the potential decline of the college and damaging its future, putting everyone’s jobs at risk.”

 

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34 Comments

  1. david kaandi

    shocking that this is still dragging on. unimpressed by the tactics of the strikers coming back so they can get paid summer leave. I would be livid, if I were a non-striking staff member who has had to pick up extra work as a result of the iundustrial action, only for them to swan back in so they can get paid.

    oh and by the way! courses can not run if you are striking! simple really.

    If yu really do care, then strike no more.

    • Just my view

      The non-striking teachers do not agree with these cuts and most support their striking colleagues. However, many of the non-striking teachers are on low pay and simply cannot afford to go on strike. Yes, the striking teachers are returning so they can be paid. How else are they suppose to pay the bills / buy food over the summer?

  2. Voice of reason

    So much for these teachers principles then. Back after the learners have left and to get their VERY LONG HOLIDAY and then ballot again to strike when the learners return.

    Its unethical. Are there no laws to stop this? Its a disgrace

  3. Von Trapp

    This would be hilarious if it wasn’t so sad. Middle class teachers striking over changes that will not affect them. Then returning to work so as to get their ridiculously long holidays. All whilst not giving a damn about the students looking to better themselves. Up the revolution brothers!

    • Just my view

      Von Trapp, what would you do if your boss gave himself a 13% pay rise, freeze your pay for 4 years and wants to cut 2 weeks off your holiday, cut your sick pay and want you to work longer hours? All for no extra money.

      • TES article clarified the so called 13% pay increase. When compared to previous full-time permanent principal the rise was nowhere near 13%… More like 1.8%.

        we are not all buying into this without doing our own info gathering.

        the sfa published the pay of an interim vp who deputised whilst ft permanent position was filled. That’s where 13% comes from. NOT actually when compared to like for like permanent postholders.

  4. Very sad indeed. Enjoy your fully paid leave and then come to back to ‘throw your toys out the pram’…again.

    Don’t worry about the students and the potential risk your actions pose to their future, you clearly have not done so thus far.

    Another resounding positive PR coup for those wanting to kill off FE Colleges.

  5. Voice of reason

    Absolutely Avon Trapp. These cruel teachers pretend they are coming back to help with enrolment but the reality is they just want to be paid for their holidays.

    Here are two quotes in today’s Socialist Worker and Brixton Buzz:

    Brixton buzz ” get ready for round 2!”

    Socialist worker party “If UCU members return to work they could reballot for strikes as early as 18 August and be out on strike again within weeks”

    A teacher of sport (and apparently a college governor) was interviewed on London Live and (whilst crude immature chanting could be seen in the background ) he cooly agreed with the interviewer that, yes of course their contracts were much better than sector norms…….. And that’s why they did not want new staff to be on them!!

    He used politically correct terminology of being a. COMMUNiTY college and then happily lets the community down. Next they will be preaching on ‘closing the achievement gap of black male youths’ … Whilst forgetting to mention that missed 5 important weeks of these learners exams and have directly led to widening it.

    Do they not realise their perception is not really shared by the silent majority – leave if you don’t like your job. But then who the heck wants to employ someone with a high sickness and strike record. They have probably only worked 6 months this year. They are unemployable so have nothing to lose.

    • Just my view

      Voice of reason, teachers perform a very important role in society and your anger against them is unjustified. The teachers at Lambeth College are in dispute with the Principle because he wants to bring in reduced contracts, which all existing staff will be moved onto eventually, as they have to re-apply for their jobs. The majority of teachers do care about their students. They do worry about their students welfare when they go on strike. They wouldn’t buy pens, books etc for them out of their own pocket if they didn’t care. Maybe you need to address your anger at the Principle of the college for creating this situation. He is the one giving himself more money while taking it away from his staff.

      • Voice of reason

        ‘just my view’ it would be great if you teachers could start spelling it correctly. He is your PRINCIPAL.

        Principles are the things you don’t have

  6. Just my view

    If my employer told me I will be moved onto a new contract with 10 days less holiday, reduced sick pay and longer working hours with no extra pay, I will be striking too. In addition, what the Principle did not mention was how much was HIS pay rise last year. 13% – The highest pay rise of all colleges in London. The teaching staff meanwhile had pay freezes for the last 4 years. In what way is this fair? Yes, the books needs to be balanced. Let’s start from the top and work our way down.

    I want my children to be taught by teachers who are not overworked, over stressed and barely have time to prepare for classes. I don’t want weary teachers to have to rush from class to class because of increased workloads. Quality education is more important than quantity of hours taught.

    This dispute is not about teachers being greedy – far from it. This is about teachers standing up to a tyrant of a Principle introducing vicious cuts to his hardworking staff without consultation. His threat to pull the plug on courses for disabled students if there are future strikes is both unethical and callous. Strike and you’ll lose your job and the students will lose out too is his message. What sort of person uses the welfare of disabled students as a blackmailing weapon?

    • non striking staff

      I disagree with the notion that most staff not striking are in favour of the strikers. That is not the case for me nor many of my colleagues who are not striking.

      as for issues regarding our disabled learners. I think you need to be honest enough to accept that (a) these very learners have been encouraged to join and assist the strike. And (b) reality of prolonged action is that it will have such an effect on any institutions ability to provide courses.

      this is not blackmailing its the harsh truth.

      the blackmailing is those who continue to want to bring the college to a halt through more strikes.

      you have been offered protection (I like you got email from principal today). Get on or get out. Let us build a Lambeth college forever and not just to suit your individual needs.

    • Voice of reason

      Good point ‘just My View’ . what kind of people use the welfare of disabled students as a weapon.? …. The teachers who deserted them for 5 weeks – came back the day before their 5 week summer holiday – and plan to strike again when the term starts

    • another staff member

      You have assurances that the new contract will not imposed on existing contracts. The same assurances I have been provided with. As for pay rises, public sector means government funded. Means all of us in sector are in same boat. Welcome to recession and austerity.

      so why do you want to strike?

  7. Douglas

    It is refreshing to see lecturers making a stand against the excesses of some College leaders. I really do despair at some of the comments here. It would seem that some posters are pleased to see the gradual transfer of wealth from the many to the few.

    • get real

      What wealth? Its public money and fully accountable.

      maybe we should remind all about the excesses of previous years that has led the college to multiple millions of debt.

      • woopsie

        get real, absolutely right. more importantly, the excesses of previous years you refer to, did not have the now Principal at the helm.

        However, I wonder how many of the striking staff were at the College, whilst it walked into millions of pounds of debt.

        Ooops, sorry its not their problem to rectify, instead, they want the college to face closure, just like Southwark, another South Londn College.

  8. Voice of reason

    Douglas: I think you speak volumes when you find it ‘refreshing’ to see local students in a deprived area being without teachers for 5 weeks during exams.

    And you probably scratch your head and wonder why the nation and press not come out in support of you? Oh dear you are out of touch with the majority of the public

    • Douglas

      Sorry Voice of Reason, I thought that most people understood that this is a much bigger issue than a strike in a College. The withdrawal of labour has been crucial in building up the basis of our modern consensual society and if it doesn’t bother you that its being eroded then it saddens me.

      • Voice of reason

        Douglas: you have summed this up ad we all know. The college is an innocent pawn in a wider agenda. This is as per your own comment.

        Completely immoral of course to engage learners in a wider agenda and it is no wonder you don’t gave public support.

        I parent of a 16 year old terrified they will go to a college with your morals .

        You strikers don’t appear to understand public perception of your self centred actions and still you try to address it

      • Douglas, I am afraid I must agree with Voice of Reason. You really are out of touch.

        withdrawal of labour? more like withdrawal of opportunity for the many – students – in favour of the few the strikers.

        The bigger issues should be taken up nationally as shown 10 July, not at the detriment of one college.

        a modern consensual society is indeed a society that works for the many and not the few. in this cae, the many are the students and non striking staff (two thirds of teaching staff NOT striking).

  9. I feel sorry for the students, especially those on A-level equivalent courses, who after 2 years of hard work and were planning to go to university may not now achieve that goal because their coursework has not been marked and therefore their grades have not been submitted to the exam boards.

    There is also the effect on the adult learners, many of whom would have paid fees of several thousands of pounds and again, will not have completed. Unless of course the lecturers are marking their work over the summer holiday.

    • david kaandi

      I agree with you Matt, it is saddening that the students are being made to suffer. What is even more sorry, is the fact that there is a even greater likelihood that further action will be taken in the Autumn.

      Once of course, all holiday(paid)has been thouroughly enjoyed.

  10. Voice of reason

    Douglas: search the web, email your union and ask how many other colleges, schools etc gave gone on strike in support of you: either for an hour. , a day , a week or the full 5 weeks.

    The most you have had are cake sales.

    Do you REALLY beLieve there an appetite from other professionals to treat their students in this way?

    Your only alley is the Socialist Worker Party and that’s really not much of a standing in society is it?

    Read all the above comments. There is a clue there

  11. Douglas

    I seem to have upset a few people here; the poor grammar and misspellings make me think there are some aerated contributors.

    First, they are not ‘my strikers’, I was simply commenting on the wider issues.

    Secondly, if these students are being so seriously affected by this action, it does not say much for all their earlier teaching and learning. Most of these students will have had at least eleven years in the education system. What does it say about their ability to be independent learners.

    • david kaandi

      Douglas, people disagreeing with you does not necessarily mean you have upset them. well, at least I hope not.

      Anyhoo (intentional spelling), if all students are expected to be independent learners after at least eleven years in education, why would we need lecturers or teachers at all?

  12. Voice of reason

    Douglas, I agree with your concerns over the quality of the educational system from secondary school onwards. That’s clearly why there need to be changes.
    I believe you alluded to this yourself in your 13th July comment It is indeed a eider issue that teaching needs to change.

  13. Douglas

    voice of reason: I am very concerned with the state of education. Too much emphasis on measurement and achievement, not enough on ‘education’ in the broader sense. I do feel for the young people of this country but teachers going on strike is not the problem. It saddens me when I see the lack of cohesion in the UK. Divide and rule is becoming the order of the day and workers, I assume some people here work, turning on workers is a poor show.

  14. david kaandi

    Douglas: I share your concerns regarding the state of education. However, I think that it is not a matter of workers turning on workers. I think it is again a representation of a ‘consensual society’. In this case, I assume it is a matter of not agreeing with the reasons for or against (depending on decisions to strike or not).

    There is the reality that things – no matter whether we like it or not- are changing. New models of eneterprise are being introduced, many of which are proving to be inneffective.

    I am of the belief that if we in FE are to survive then we must also accept there are changes to way in which we work that need to happen. I would far rather be one of those who is helping to ensure FE survives and not one who risks closing a college for an idelogical battle that ultimately will contruibute further to our demise. And like I have said for so long, the floodgates will open for the private sector to walk straight in a loot and pillage what remains.

    The fact is we need to change our practices just as the world is changing. Afterall, we are here to educate and empower the future lifeblood of our economy and society. Failiure is not an option, as too many staff and learners (and their families) are relying on FE to grow, remain and sustain its position as a vital and proven model for eduaction.

  15. Voice of reason

    Douglas: As a parent I need to be selfish in the best interests of my son who has just finished his GCSE’s. My interests in following this has been out if total fear that teachers could behave so badly in a sixth form or college he may go to.

    I agree education needs to evolve and is not right. I don’t have a child who is an independent learner despite being a good attender in secondary school. Standards need to be much higher.

    But I can not in my heart find even a glimmer of support for professionals whom withdraw their teaching at a critical time.

    I am sickened to see these teachers and their union on the WWW talk about the principal closing courses next year because of no teachers and then blaming HIM. These unethical teachers have done this. They (maybe you) are saying they will go out again at the start of term after their 5 week holidays.

    Maybe you are not a parent and can’t grasp the impact and fear. Or maybe you are but your children had their teachers at this crucial,time. I think this college is the only place in the country to do this? (Thousands of parents are sighing with huge relief.)

    Politics has no place with learners.

    I hope this working class, uneducated patents’ spelling meets your approval

  16. Douglas

    voice of Reason:

    I do have children and I am not on strike but I will strike if it becomes necessary. I doubt if having a few weeks away from College will make much difference to these students.

    I am astonished to see you write that Politics has no place with learners. in my experience there has not been one Government that has not interfered with Education and used it as a vehicle to shape their vision of society. So its OK for Governments to play with education but not for the general population who elect them.

  17. Voice of reason

    WOW Douglas: are you aware of what you have just put on the WWW for all to see?

    You don’t believe that teachers being away from their students for. 5 weeks during exams makes a difference?

    Therefore you feel contracts should be even shorter as you don’t believe your role as a teacher has any impact.

    Please find yourself another career before you ruin the lives of many more students.

    Out of interest: if you are going to teach somebody else’s child politics it needs yo be unbiased and not your own view. I believe it is called ‘ balance’ which us not spelt as SOCIALIST WORKER