Staff at Lambeth College who went on a five-week strike towards the end of last academic year will  be able to vote from Monday on whether to walk out again — a week before scheduled talks.

University and College Union (UCU) members walked out indefinitely on June 3 in a dispute over new staff contracts.

The UCU has said the contracts would leave staff with longer working hours, less sick pay and less annual leave.

But principal Mark Silverman has said the terms of the new contract, which was introduced from April 1, were “in line with sector norms”.

The strike ended on July 9, with staff returning shortly before the start of the summer holidays.

But the UCU will open a ballot on Monday on whether to renew strike action.

The ballot is due to close on October 13, but FE Week understands that talks are expected to take place on October 6 — in the middle of the ballot period.

A UCU spokesperson said: “UCU remains hopeful the dispute can be resolved and talks are scheduled to take place in early October.

“It’s in everybody’s interest that a resolution is found to the dispute as quickly as possible.”

A spokesperson for Lambeth College said: “We are surprised and disappointed at the UCU’s position and we were expecting to be sitting round the table on October 6.

“Were not expecting any action until the enrolment period was over, which we’re only just coming out of now.”

The college, which was slapped with an Ofsted grade four rating in 2012 but worked its way up to a grade three last year.

Mr Silverman told FE Week: “I’m disappointed that UCU feels it appropriate to risk causing more unnecessary disruption to learners

“The new contracts are for new staff only, and reflect normal practice across the FE sector.

“The college has taken great strides in the past two years to ensure we continue to improve learner outcomes and remain on a path to becoming the outstanding and sustainable college that South London deserves.

“With enrolment nearing completion and an Ofsted inspection looming, our focus remains on settling learners into their new courses and giving them the best start possible.”

The spokesperson added that applications to roles with the new contracts “have been strong, both in terms of numbers and calibre of candidate”.

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3 Comments

  1. This is what I attempted to post on the Lambeth college strike site; it doesn’t seem to have made it on there. So I thought I would post it here, this post is in direct response to Lambeth UCU arguments for taking further action. South London and the wider community need Lambeth College, this is why I have decided to share my voice.

    I cannot believe I have to say this, but, as a member of ucu and Lambeth College, I can state that there is no appetite for further action. I am on old contract – like all of those who went on strike last time – and have been told time and time again that the college will not change my terms.
    Also, I was speaking with someone pretty high up in ucu and they agreed that the majority do not want to strike.

    We have Ofsted due to turn up at any time soon and I for one do not want the college to suffer any further. our learners need to see us pull together.
    As for the principal and his pay rise, I asked a colleague (at great risk to themselves to investigate) and they have come back to me stating for fact that his pay when compared to previous full time permanent principal was showing an increase of barely over 1%, they said that the 13% figure comes with comparing his salary with then VP who deputised until a permanent post was filled. The sfa have a duty to publish such figures but do not stipulate whether the post holder is deputising etc.

    And as for management not willing to meet with ucu, they have said they want to focus on enrolment, settling in learners and Ofsted. Yet again, I can’t believe it, but I think I agree with them.

    Now I fully expect to either not see this posted, or be accused of being an insider or worse still a ‘brownnoser’

    I just am getting fed up with our colleagues being led u the garden path with facts that are not fully true.

    Please lets work with ucu central (that’s who I signed up to be a member of)

    Thanks- j anon (not real name – guess I’m afraid if backlash)

  2. david kaandi

    ah! my favourite comment piece from last year has returned and I’m not happy about it. Janon, I hope you and your colleagues have/are voting at the ballot. Apathy to ballots only serve to further exacerbate a situation and present a false economy to those intent on a fight.

    if talks are scheduled, why ballot???? kind of gives the impression that those involved have already decided to strike. If I were you I would check to see whether any of them are vying for a position in national politics/trade unions and are using this situation as a launchpad for their own gain.