UCU: Combating the explosion in insecure work in further education

Motion

Motion text: This conference notes that:
1. an increasing number of FE staff are employed on fixed term contracts and other forms of casualised contracts
2. the pay, terms and conditions of people on fixed term contracts vary widely from one FE employer to another
3. around 30% of FE teachers are on non-permanent contracts, with some institutions having over 50% of staff in these roles.
4. 98% of FE colleges use “flexible” contracts, including fixed-term, zero-hours, and variable hours.
5. Casualisation disproportionately affects marginalised groups, including LGBTQ+ staff, with particular impacts in adult education where insecure and variable hours are more prevalent.
This conference calls on the FEC and the General Secretary to:
a. draw up a strategy and allocate resources for the FE Sector to combat this continuing explosion of insecure work
b. challenge the negative portrayal of further education as the poor relation of higher education
c. to promote the positive successes of our members in FE in delivering life changing training to young people, ethnic minorities, etc.
d. Ensure that work to combat casualisation recognises and addresses its disproportionate impact on marginalised groups, including LGBTQ+ staff, and within adult education provision.