Dear (name of MP)

I am writing to you regarding the Temporary and Agency Workers (Equal Treatment) Bill, presented by Andrew Miller MP, that is due to receive its second reading in the House of Commons on Friday February 22nd.

I would very much like to see you amongst MPs present in Westminster on 22nd February to show their support for the Bill.

The Bill seeks to give agency workers equal treatment with permanent workers in basic terms and conditions. This is an issue of national importance but also a local, constituency one. The use of agency staff in Further Education is widespread. Many colleges use them only for genuine short term, un-predictable, staff cover for sickness, but some colleges actually employ more than 50% of their staff through agencies. Inevitably, despite the best efforts of dedicated agency employed lecturers,  when classes have several different lecturers in a term the quality of provision suffers.

Agency lecturers are almost always on inferior terms and conditions to directly employed staff. Lower hourly pay, less preparation time and less holidays are the norm for agency lecturers. The inferior conditions endured by agency lecturers also undermine hard won conditions for directly employed staff.

This Bill may be the last opportunity to deliver progress for temporary and agency workers in this Parliamentary term.

I hope that you will be able to be present in Parliament on the 22nd February, and cast your vote in favour of this important Bill. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you need any more information at all on this issue.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,