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

Sociology Lecturer, A Level Politics, Capital City College

Election address

I teach A Level at CCC and I love it - but I, like many of you are exasperated and frustrated by the current crisis in FE.  

We see too many of our colleagues struggling. Our pay has been eroded by 30% in the last decade. Workloads are unbearable - we teach the same number of students, yet we've lost 25,000 teachers.  Our LSA's and support staff have been cut, losing valuable skills and piling pressure on those that are left. There is a mental health crisis (41% of young women report anxiety and depression) - despite this many colleges' have cut wellbeing teams.  

This cannot continue. 50% of FE lecturer's leave the profession within the first 3 years due to stress and poor pay. Yet government and management refuse to tackle this crisis. We can, and must, provide an alternative.   

My union experience  

I've been active in my branch since 2010 taking on various roles, building organisation and becoming an experienced case worker.  

·       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 of pay erosion. Our membership rejected it and are striking as part of the New Deal for FE. We must support all branches, building collective strength to win real fair pay. 

To win national binding bargaining:It's unacceptable that lecturers doing the same work are paid such varying rates. At CCC, the top of the teacher's scale is £51k - this is not enough, but elsewhere they are paid £10k less - that's not right. We need National Binding Bargaining to lift pay and conditions across FE. 

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 nationally for fair, enforceable workload agreements.  

To build 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: increasing managerialism, reduction in GLH and cuts to student support is damaging our students' education. Adult Education has consistently been cut - we must make rebuilding this at the heart of our campaigns.  

If elected, I will 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.