Linda Littler (Luminate Education Group - Leeds City College)

Linda Littler (Luminate Education Group - Leeds City College) 

Election address 

As a lifelong trade unionist, and Branch Secretary for Leeds City College (part of Luminiate Education Group) I am thrilled to be standing for a UK-Elected FE position on NEC.    

Over many years as GCSE English Course Leader, I have witnessed first-hand the challenges within our sector. FE, Prison, and Adult and Community Education have long been treated as the poor relations in our education system, and it's time for us to demand the change that our members deserve.    

If elected, my focus will be on the following:   

• Continuing to build on the New Deal For FE campaign; lobbying Parliament for more funding and binding national agreements that will bring our members out of poverty.   

• Working closely with colleagues in Prison Education who need parity of pay and guaranteed access to TPS.   

• Ending casualisation and low pay for ACE members, recognising the vital role they play.  

• Addressing the ever-increasing workloads that members face and advocating for workload agreements across the sector. This will coincide with addressing work-related stress and other resulting mental and physical health issues.   

• Collaborating with fellow FE members and sharing experiences.   

• Championing an intersectional approach to equality.    

In recent years under Jo Grady's leadership, our union has achieved significant milestones through collective action, and I am immensely proud to have been a part of this. Our industrial campaigns have demonstrated the strength and resolve of our members, who refuse to stand idly by while our futures and those of the students we teach and support are disregarded.    

The Chancellor's £300 million investment was a direct result of UCU's relentless campaigning, and is a testament to what we can accomplish when we unite for our cause. However, this is only the beginning - the fight must continue.    

Alongside high-level lobbying, however, we cannot neglect the importance of local bargaining. As Branch Secretary, I was involved in negotiations for an increased pay award of 6%. I also played a part in securing a workload agreement for our members that ensures managers are no longer able to force us to breaking point.    

I am committed to advocating for real change in FE. My goal is to ensure that our members receive the pay and working conditions they deserve, whilst also guaranteeing that our students receive the high-quality education they are entitled to. Together, we can build a stronger, more equitable, future for Further Education through building and organising from the ground up.    

Please vote for me and Josh Spears as your no. 2 vote.    

I will be voting for Dyfrig Jones as Vice President and Andrew Feeney as Honorary Treasurer and would encourage you to do the same.