better pay and conditions for all FE and adult education
lecturers
How do those of us classed as tutors, even though we teach classes rather
than individuals and have responsibility for our own schemes of work and a great
deal of admin, fit into this? The notional rate may look good, but it really
doesn't reflect the hours required. One of the biggest gripes where I work is
the amount we are required to do on an unpaid basis. For example, we
are required to come in during registration week without pay
but no distinction is made between the tutor of a recreational course who does
not assess and is allowed to leave after half an hour or so if no one is
present, and Skills for Life tutors who have to administer initial assessments
in very difficult conditions and have to stay the whole time.
Another serious problem is the way pensions are calculated, which seems to
mean that anyone who is not salaried only gets pension credits for part of the
year. As the teaching year shrinks, we aren't getting credits for nearly half
the year.
Cheryl Thornett
ESOL tutor
Birmingham Adult Education
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2008 10:42
AM
Subject: Re: ESOL hot topics
Many thanks from me too. An excellent summary. I do take note
of the various points and will do my best to express them or those I feel
confident in expressing as a generalist at the various events and meetings on
ESOL that I attend. Re the points that pertain to UCU On pay as you all know
we continue to campaign and fight for better pay and conditions for all FE and
adult education lecturers. Of course ESOL along with other Skills for Life
staff are part of that and I think we can make very good points about the way
that work with the most marginal and disadvantaged tends to be undertaken by
the most marginal of staff - part time hourly paid.