2.3% Rise Offered To Welsh Colleges

Fforwm, the organisation representing FE colleges in Wales has tabled a 2.3% pay rise for 2009-10 in response to the joint union claim. However, because the organisation says they have no mandate to negotiate on national terms and conditions, the offer has for now at least, been rejected by the joint union side while they seek a form of words from Fforwm that would allow both sides to discuss, in a positive manner, what model terms and conditions could look like in the sector.

A commitment to negotiate national terms and conditions is something the joint unions have been seeking for some time but so far, without success. However, the Welsh Assembly Government appears to be positive about talks regarding national conditions of service so political pressure may yet bring about a solution. With this in mind the joint unions are seeking a meeting with the minister, John Griffiths.

AMiE Wales Officer, Brian Thornton said, “The pay offer is welcome, but with discussions on national conditions of service promised by Fforwm following the Webb report; and with support for this from the minister, we need to make progress on this issue as well. The school sector has the protection of national conditions of service – we seek parity with this sector.”

Fforwm have conducted their own research on conditions of service across Wales and the unions have asked them to share the results. Brian added, “With the transformation agenda underway there are a number of advantages to having common terms and conditions, not least when colleges merge.”

Wales Funding Campaign Success

Members in Wales already know, but on 16 April Deputy Minister for Skills John Griffiths announced an additional 8.93 million for Further Education Institutions (FEIs) and sixth forms in Wales.

This follows repeated lobbying by AMiE and other FE unions in Wales to bring about a change in the Welsh Assembly Government’s harsh financial treatment of the sector.

The effect of this additional allocation is that, in almost every case, FEIs and local authority sixth form provision will be funded at or above the same level for 09/10 as they were for 08/09. With the economic downturn being likely to lead to an increase in demand for post-16 training and adult training places, the extra support will provide funding for at least a further 2,500 places for young people and adults at FE institutions and school sixth forms.

In a good natured and clearly effective joint union campaign, AMiE Members joined lunchtime protests to draw attention to the effects of the original funding settlement, and then took their message direct to WAG on 1 April.

Commenting on the success of the campaign, Brian Thornton, AMiE’s Wales Officer said, “Our widely supported campaign has brought the Welsh Assembly Government to its senses. Further education has stood up for itself, and our voice has been heard.”

AMiE Calls on WAG To Overturn Cuts

AMiE and other education unions demonstrated against the cuts in Further Education outside the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) at Cardiff Bay yesterday. Hundreds of staff and students had turned out to demonstrate on April fools day.

Speakers from  opposition parties supported AMiE’s argument that cutting funding from the sector is irrational and should be overturned.

Commenting on the demonstration, AMiE’s Wales Officer Brian Thornton said, “The FE sector has met all the initiatives of WAG over the years, has raised it’s quality profile, and has provided top quality worked based learning, Making cuts in the middle of a recession is just plain madness.”

Even the speaker from the Labour party and Plaid, who are after all the government, agreed with our argument!

Angleo Conti, the chair of the AMiE branch at Swansea College met John Griffiths the deputy minister for skills, along with lay members of the other joint Unions. Angelo was able to make a clear case from a College perspective as to why the cuts needed to be reversed and needed to be reversed now. Swansea College itself is facing a £1.8M deficit and a consequent set of job losses just as it is working towards a merger with Gorseinon College, In other words, doing what WAG wishes it to do!

More information and photos are available on the AMiE website. A news report on the demonstration can be found on the BBC Wales website.

Now A Warning From Welsh Colleges

The employers association for FE colleges in Wales, ffrowm, has added its own voice to the growing criticism of the Welsh Asembley Government (WAG) accusing them of continuing to underfund colleges in Wales.

John Graystone, fforwm chief executive is reported on the FE News website as saying “Colleges in Wales should not have to languish as the least supported in the UK.”

Meanwhile, AMiE has now produced a briefing from members and other campaigners on the current state of funding in Wales. It can be downloaded from the AMiE website.

AMiE Members Take Campaign To Cardiff

AMiE is taking a leading role in the fight against  funding cuts at many Welsh colleges. AMiE and ATL,  along with all the other unions involved in education, are working together to bring the Welsh Assembly Government to its senses. This follows the latest funding settlement for 14-19 provision in Wales which will see some colleges losing up to 7% of their funding. School sixth forms are also badly affected.

Joint union lobbying of the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) and officials from the education department DCELLS is already underway; and this will be made visible with a demonstration outside the WAG building in Cardiff on 1 April. Campaign supporters can also join a Facebook group opposed to the cuts which has been started by an AMiE member at Coleg Sir Gar.

Commenting on the campaign, AMiE Wales officer Brian Thornton said, “I’m delighted by the level of support our members are showing. We are confident of a good turnout for the demonstration next week. Today we have seen an excellent turnout from members of AMiE and the other education unions in coordinated demonstrations against the savage cuts outside Sir Gar, Swansea and Gorseinon Colleges. Now we must unite to demonstrate outside WAG headquarters to argue the case for a properly funded and valued further education sector “

The impact of funding cuts on college staff and students will be severe. AMiE is expecting sweeping job losses at a number of colleges including Coleg Gwent, Coleg Sir Gar, Gorseinon and Swansea Colleges.

Further information about the cuts can be found at the BBC News Wales website.