In this week’s campaigns update:

  • UCU members vote to boycott the Institute for learning

  • TPS under attack – Government raid on pensions is a tax on public sector workers, says UCU

  • UCU analysis of education divide makes the headlines

  • Fighting the White Paper

  • Nick Clegg responds to rumbling Liberal Democrat revolt on university privatisation

  • BPP boss admits class sizes will rise as it looks to expand

  • Politics Monthly

  • Spare a few minutes to win a spectacular chocolate hamper

UCU members vote to boycott the Institute for learning

UCU members have voted overwhelmingly to boycott the Institute for Learning (IfL). Almost 90% of those who voted, voted to boycott the organization, providing yet more evidence that the institute commands no confidence among FE lecturers. Read more here: http://www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=5678

*WHAT YOU SHOULD DO NOW*: we are aware that the IfL has written to members insisting that it will be lapsing the membership of all those who do not pay their registration fee. UCU is of the firm view that the IfL has no right to lapse members without a formal hearing. If the IfL persists on this path, UCU will seek a court order quashing any decision to lapse members as a breach of their civil rights as guaranteed by Article 6 of the European Convention of Human Rights. In the meantime, our advice remains to continue to not pay your registration fee and to send your letter of objection using ourweb tool here: http://www.ucu.org.uk/iflobjection.

TPS under attack – Government raid on pensions is a tax on public sector workers, says UCU

UCU said yesterday that government plans to raid public sector pensions had nothing to do with keeping pension costs down and was simply a tax to raise funds for the Treasury. UCU said the news was another example of the government’s failure to negotiate seriously on the pensions issue. UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: “The government has proved yet again that it is not prepared to negotiate with us in good faith over any changes to pension schemes. Any increases in contributions from members will not aid their retirement; they will raise funds for the Treasury. This is simply a tax on public sector workers.” Read more here:

http://www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=5681 and here:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/strike-talks-in-jeopardy-2327397.html

UCU analysis of education divide makes the headlines

UCU’s analysis of educational underachievement in Britain, published last Friday, has gained widespread coverage in the national, regional and local media. Highlights included UCU general secretary Sally Hunt’s appearance on the BBC One O’Clock News and interviews with UCU spokespeople throughout the country. For a list of where the story was covered click here: http://www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=5683

Fighting the White Paper:

*Help UCU respond to the consultations: As well as campaigning, UCU will be responding to the formal consultations on the White Paper. Please help us develop our response to the key passages by using our web form here: http://whitepaper.web.ucu.org.uk/consultation/

*No Confidence petition – Help us push for 20,000: UCU’s petition continues to grow. Help us to make it our biggest ever by passing it on to all your colleagues and asking your professional associations to circulate it. Add your name here: https://www.ucu.org.uk/noconfidence

Nick Clegg responds to rumbling Liberal Democrat revolt on university privatisation

UCU this week said it was pleased that Nick Clegg has taken up the issue of university privatisation with the government. In a letter to constituents, Nick Clegg said he had raised the matter with education secretary, Michael Gove, and UCU said it was essential he now bring up the issue with universities minister, David Willetts. In total 116 cross-party MPs, including half the Liberal Democrat backbench, have signed the EDM. UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: “MPs from all parties, including the deputy prime minister, have expressed concerns about the government’s plans for university privatisation. Tellingly, half the Liberal Democrat backbenchers have voiced their concerns about the issue and the government needs to start listening to avoid an NHS-style PR disaster.” Read more here:

http://www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=5680  The EDM text and a full list of signatories can be found at http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2010-12/1999

BPP boss admits class sizes will rise as it looks to expand

The head of UK for-profit group BPP has admitted that class sizes will rise as it looks to expand across the country. In an interview with this week’s Times Higher Education, Carl Lygo said some student:staff ratios could reach 30:1. UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: “BPP’s belief that student:staff ratios of 30:1 are acceptable shows the pressure their American owners Apollo are now putting them under to deliver big profits from UK higher education.” Read more here: http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=416946&c=1

Politics Monthly
The devolved administrations and the Westminster bubble are all in recess. This last Politics Monthly of the summer gives you an update on what happened in Stormont and Westminster before the MLAs and MPs packed up their desks and headed back to their constituencies: http://www.ucu.org.uk/politicsmonthly

Spare a few minutes to win a spectacular chocolate hamper!

Recourse (formerly CUSN) is conducting a short survey of members to evaluate what you think about their service. Recourse would really value your quick feedback so it can continue to enhance the quality of support it provides you. The survey should take no more than 5-10 minutes. For taking part you’ll have the chance to enter into a prize draw to win one of five spectacular chocolate gift hampers. Please click on this link to take the survey now: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/recourseserviceimprovementsurvey

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