Categories: uncategorized
Date: 22 April 2008 07:01:38
Yesterday the Guardian had an article about the life of FE lecturers. A new report has shown what those of us who live in the sector know, it is a strange world which is often difficult and sometimes dangerous where we often find ourselves undervalued, yet we love it. It has a quite high proportion of people coming up to retirement age in it (hence the fact a majority of those surveyed are talking about leaving the sector within the last five years) and those of us who aren't of that certain age dream of finding a way out. Yet, as I say, we generally love our jobs and value the sector we work in. I am glad this report has highlighted the contradictory yet true world of FE lecturers and the issues we face.
One of the key "issues" for FE staff is the fact we get paid less than school teachers for doing the same job. Part of the problem is that colleges were incorporated in the early '80's and so each is a seperate business. This means there is no national agreement on pay, or rather there is but colleges don't have to sign up to it.
Our union has called a strike for Thursday, and I have to say it's doing my head in. I don't entirely agree with the strike. This is because I am clear about the effect of the inflationary effects of huge wage demands on the wider economy and because I think the 6% pay request is getting in the way of the wider issues we should be taking action on (like underfunding, like the erosion of minority subjects and evening classes, etc). That said a pay increase atleast inline with the Retail Price Index measure of inflation would be helpdful.
Also my students really need me in class, there exams are just a few weeks away. However, I'm not prepared to cross a picket line. In addition to my belief in the union movement there are various issues tied in about honouring my mum's memory and stuff & so well, let's just say I'm not finding the whole thing easy. So no I won't be working on Thursday, but it's not an easy decision. Whilst I hate some of the s**t that goes with it and the way the sector is truly treated as the Cindrella sector of education I love my job and I care deeply about my students (just like my colleagues).