Regine Pilling (Capital City College Group Kingsway/ Kings Cross)

Sociology Lecturer, A Level Politics, Capital City College

Election address

I teach A Levels at CCC and have been an active trade unionist in my branch, regionally and nationally.  

Working in FE, we see too many of our colleagues stressed and feeling undervalued. Our pay has been eroded by 30% over the last decade, leaving staff struggling. Workloads keep rising - we teach the same number of students, yet we've lost 25,000 teachers.  Student support has been cut - from exam staff, to LSAs to ALS staff - leaving students with less support despite the growing mental health crisis, and the remaining staff overwhelmed. 

This cannot continue. 50% of FE lecturer's leave the profession within the first 3 years. Our workforce is ageing, and many will soon retire. Yet government and management refuse to face this crisis, continuing instead with so-called "efficiency savings."  We can, and must, provide an alternative.  

My union experience  

I have taken on various branch roles and becoming an experienced case worker. Currently:  

·       Branch Secretary 2023 -  

·       NEC rep 2022 -  

·       London Regional Chair 2022-24  

·       National Pay Negotiator 2023 -  

Why I'm standing: 

To improve pay: Our branch has taken successful strike action winning pay deals of 9%- 6.5% ensuring lower paid staff gained more. This year's 4% offer fails to reverse years pay erosion. Our membership rejected it and are striking as part of the New Deal for FE. We must continue to support all branches, building collective strength to win real pay justice. 

To win national binding bargaining:It's unacceptable that lecturers doing the same work are paid differently across the region. At CCC, the top of the scale is £51k - this is not enough, but more than elsewhere. That's not right. We need National Binding Bargaining to lift pay and conditions across the sector. 

To reduce workload: Our branch negotiated workload and wellbeing protocols, but staff still regularly work unpaid overtime and too many are signed off with stress. We must campaign regionally for fair, enforceable workload agreements.  

To advance equality: Disabled members struggle to get reasonable adjustments. Black members face disproportionate disciplinaries. Staff with caring responsibilities often lack flexibility. We must challenge inequality wherever it appears. With the rise of Reform UK, it is increasingly urgent that our union takes action to oppose their narratives and attacks on education and rights. 

To defend education: we want to provide the best education that we can - but increasing managerialism, reduction in GLH and cuts to student support is damaging to students' education. Shamefully, Adult Education has been continually cut and must be at the heart of our campaigns.  

If elected, I'll work tirelessly to ensure our union meets the challenges ahead - defending staff, pay, equality, and the future of FE. I'm a UCU Left member.