Averil Young (West Suffolk College)

Maths Lecturer, Maths, West Suffolk College

Election address

I am standing for the London and East FE NEC seat because FE staff in our region have been pushed to breaking point for too long. Colleagues tell me they are exhausted by unsustainable workload, falling pay, increasing behavioural pressures and a system held together only by their commitment. 

As Branch Chair at West Suffolk College and Eastern and Home Counties Regional Secretary, I see every day how hard FE workers are fighting. These roles have shown me clearly what staff need most: fair pay, a workload they can sustain without burnout, contracts that provide stability, behaviour systems that protect them, and national bargaining that applies equally. Supporting branches and reps has shown me the power of strong organising. When branches are resourced, supported and listened to, staff win change. But lasting progress also requires binding bargaining, enforceable workload protections and political recognition of FE. 

For over a decade, the East of England has had no representation in this FE seat. Our region's realities - from rural underfunding and recruitment difficulties to transport barriers and safeguarding pressures - have not been present in national decision making. That must change. 

Our challenges come from government policy, underinvestment, pay erosion and funding structures that raise expectations while stripping away the resources required to meet them. FE workers do extraordinary work under extraordinary pressure, and they deserve the New Deal for FE. If elected, I will focus on delivering: 

• A workload campaign that protects staff 
I will push for a national framework rooted in health and safety, with enforceable limits, protected time and realistic expectations. 

• Fair pay 
FE has faced deep real-terms cuts. Thirty-three colleges, including in London and the wider Eastern region, now hold legal strike mandates over pay and workload, and I stand firmly with them. 

• Binding national bargaining 
Without binding bargaining in England, progress remains fragile. I will support every step towards securing it, because pay, workload and conditions must not depend on employer goodwill. 

• Recruitment, retention and job security 
Colleges cannot function when experienced staff leave. I will campaign for improved contracts, clearer progression routes and national strategies that rebuild FE as a profession people can remain in. 

• Stronger branches and union power 
Branches are the heart of UCU. I will work for greater branch autonomy, better rep support, stronger organising and clearer communication so members feel confident, empowered and heard. 

As a proud trade unionist, I stand in solidarity with all UCU members. I would be honoured to represent our region on the NEC. 

I am supporting Suzi Toole (FE) and Mark Pendleton (HE) in the Vice President elections, alongside a slate of candidates which can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/NECelections2026