Updates on FE workload and pay

Dispute over workload
 
The recent ballot results were mixed, with 5 of the 11 colleges reaching the 50% turnout to allow them to take action, and one college planning to re-ballot and are confident they will get the necessary 50%.

We have however got agreement from ColegauCymru to start negotiations over our claim and the UCU Wales official will be meeting with ColegauCymru after half-term to establish the process going forward becasue not all the matters will be covered with the national workload agreement, incuding issues such as data collection.

UCU's FE Sector Committee (FESC) resolved to accept the ColegauCymru offer of talks but is not prepared to withdraw the dispute at this stage. Coleg y Cymoedd has also suspended their local action over workload to allow time for the national talks to take place.
 
Pay offer
 
FESC agreed to note ColegauCymru's recommended 1% pay increase as they felt they would not be fair to ask members to lose a day's pay in order to gain the additional 1% needed to maintain parity with the recommended 2% for school teachers. The 1% increase has already been paid by employers.