• College accused of 'everyday racism' after sacking lecturer

    The new Universities and College Union general secretary has accused the leadership at Sandwell College of “everyday racism” after it sacked lecturer Dave Muritu. In an interview with FE Week, Dr Jo Grady said there is “everyday racism in colleges”, and that “we have seen that just this week with someone being dismissed at Sandwell”.…

    10.00 Jun. 7th, 2019 | News

  • UCU deal reached with university-backed college to increase pay but reduce teaching time

    Strike action at cash-strapped Lambeth College has been cancelled after union members managed to negotiate a 3 per cent pay rise, additional leave and a reduction in teaching hours. Members of the University and College Union at the college have walked out for a total of 10 days since November in a long-running pay dispute,…

    10.32 May. 9th, 2019 | News

  • Strike dates announced for 16 colleges locked in pay disputes

    Members of the University and College Union at 16 colleges will walk out for two days starting January 29, in an ongoing dispute over pay. The union has also written to the education secretary Damian Hinds urging the government to provide extra funding for staff who feel “undervalued and severely underpaid”. “UCU members are being…

    11.28 Jan. 15th, 2019 | News

  • Sixteen colleges facing UCU strike action in the new year

    Sixteen colleges across England face “significant disruption” in the new year, after members of the University and College Union voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action in an ongoing dispute over pay. Staff at 10 colleges whose ballots closed today will join the six colleges that took action in November in a second wave of…

    17.12 Dec. 19th, 2018 | News

  • UCU strike closes one college and affects five others

    A walkout by more than 700 University and College Union members caused disruption across six colleges this week – and even forced one to close for the two days. Bradford College shut eight of its 12 buildings and called off all its planned lessons on Wednesday and Thursday, while at least three other colleges cancelled…

    10.26 Nov. 30th, 2018 | News

  • College group gives staff a five per cent pay rise, despite a deficit

    A huge London college group has defended awarding its staff up to a five per cent pay rise – even though it will result in its third annual operating deficit in a row. The pay deal for Capital City College Group staff, announced on Wednesday, was described as a “landmark” by the University and College…

    10.30 Nov. 23rd, 2018 | News

  • College group boss gives up bonus in 'landmark' pay deal

    The new boss of a London college group has given up his annual bonus as part of a “landmark” pay deal, the University and College Union has announced today. Staff at the three colleges that make up Capital City College Group – City and Islington College, Westminster Kingsway College, and the College of Haringey, Enfield…

    12.47 Nov. 21st, 2018 | News

  • UCU members at six colleges set for two-day walk out

    Members of the University and College Union at six colleges will walk out for two days next week, in the first wave of strikes this year over pay. At the same time, staff at a further 26 colleges are being balloted on possible action in the future. “Staff in FE colleges have seen their pay…

    12.06 Nov. 20th, 2018 | News

  • College defends appointment of principal who jumped ship before financial failings exposed

    A principal who jumped ship before the financial failings of his former college were uncovered has the backing of the board at the college he moved onto. The confirmation came in a reply, seen by FE Week, to University and College Union officials at City College Plymouth in response to their letter demanding answers about…

    17.41 Nov. 6th, 2018 | News

  • Thousands march on parliament to protest for fair college funding

    Thousands of learners, staff and leaders marched on parliament today in “the most amazing show by colleges ever” to demand fairer funding, as the centrepiece of Colleges Week. The march for FE, organised by the University and College Union in partnership with the Association of Colleges, was followed by a packed rally in Parliament Square…

    18.07 Oct. 17th, 2018 | News

  • Disappointment at lack of concrete pay offer, as AoC proposes package dependent on funding rise

    Disappointment has been expressed at the lack of a concrete offer following pay talks with the Association of Colleges, which is instead proposing a “substantial pay package” over two years dependent on government funding. The unions met with AoC bosses on Friday to discuss college pay, and were looking for a better pay offer than…

    10.39 Jul. 16th, 2018 | News