Campaign Targets Young Voters

Anti-racism campaign Kick It Out and the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) have produced a poster that encourages people to vote in the forthcoming European Elections. It is hoped it will increase awareness amongst young people in particular, who may otherwise be unaware of the elections.

The poster underlines the diversity of football and features players from all 20 Premier League clubs. The campaign slogan ‘Get Your Cross In The Box’ urges voters to ensure they get involved ahead of the elections, on Thursday 4th June.

Kick It Out and the PFA have worked together on the campaign to underline the powerful force that diversity plays in the game.

Polling day next Thursday comes at time when the integrity of politicians is at an all time low. Many of us fear this will result electoral success for the BNP. But as the anti-fascist magazine Searchlight points out, 65 years ago a generation risked everything to defeat fascism. All we have to do is vote!

For more information on the campaign against the BNP please see the Hope Not Hate website.

FE Pay Offer Rejected

The six further education unions, ACM, ATL, GMB, UCU, UNISON and UNITE*, representing 250,000 staff working in colleges in England have formally rejected an offer of 1% from the employers’ association, the Association of Colleges (AoC). The offer also did not include any underpinning, which would guarantee a minimum salary rise for the lowest paid workers in English colleges.

The unions submitted a ‘catch up and match up’ claim of 6% with a guaranteed £2000 rise for the lowest paid staff to compensate for years of below average pay rises and to bring college staff pay in line with comparable professions.

Barry Lovejoy, joint secretary of the trade union negotiating side and UCU head of further education, said: “We have heard lots of rhetoric about the value all political parties place on further education and its ability to get the lives of people suffering in the recession back on track.

“However, yet again, the employers have chosen to completely undermine the sector’s chance of really making that difference. Now, more than ever, we need staff to be fairly remunerated for the crucial work they will play in helping the country get back on its feet. The message to the employers is clear – go back, think again and come back with a decent pay offer.”

ACM and AMiE general secretary Peter Pendle said, “FE staff face a challenging future. If we are to continue delivering a quality service then staff must be properly rewarded. We will be pressing the AoC to come back with an improved offer.”

Joint Trade union side secretary and UNISON national officer for FE, Chris Fabby said: “This offer is not enough to help our members working in FE cope with the high cost of food and fuel in the tough year ahead. It is a huge disappointment that there is no underpinning. The security of a minimum salary uplift is really important to the lowest paid workers as 1% of nothing will always mean nothing.”

Budget Promises Reassure Colleges And Schools

As members will know, the Budget promised colleges and schools that all young people’s education and training will be funded. More information can be found at this DCSF link.