The Branch Committee can confirm that discussions regarding the current industrial dispute at Edinburgh's Telford College took place today between a delegation of the EIS and the college management.
The discussions, initiated by the EIS Branch Committee yesterday, took place between members of the Branch Committee along with the EIS Area Officer and a three person delegation from the management led by Assistant Principal Greg Irving. Discussions will continue at 10am on monday with the Branch Committee due to report to members at a meeting at lunchtime on monday.
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Colleagues,
of course you are all aware that discussions have taken place yestarday and that furthere discussions will take place on monday. Naturally we all hope that the discussions will result in the immediate and unequivical removal of Protocol National.
However it would be neglectful of us to take our foot off the pressure pedal as it were. Quite the opposite in fact. Now more than ever we must up the pressure on the Principalship and the Board of management and ensure that they, the public, the politicians, papers and our colleagues members and non are left in no doubt that we remain resolute in our stance against inequality.
Is it true that the Principal is not involved inthese discussions? I heard he is on holiday and has been since wednesday. Can the branch confirm this.
Surely any talks which take place just now are meaningless given that Ray Harris is on "annual leave" for 2 weeks. One of the largets colleges in Scotland is going through the longest and most bitter dispute of any educational establishment in recent memory and the Principal is no where to be found.
Staggering. How arrogant can you get.
It's an encouraging development that our hard working EIS reps. are participating in talks with the Principalship in an attempt to resolve this dispute and get lecturers back in the classroom with their students. However it absolutely beggars belief that Principal Ray Harris isn't involved in these talks to secure an end to a most serious and damaging industrial dispute (of his making). And why is Dr. Harris not contributing to these important negotiations? Well if rumours are to be believed he has chosen to take two weeks annual leave and leave matters in the capable hands of his popular, cheerful and ever flexible Deputy who in the event of needing advice or direction can always consult his chum the HR Consultant.
Perhaps people who dont work in the College will be absolutely amazed at the Pricipal going on holiday at this critical time. However as an employee of the College this does not surprise myself or my colleagues in the least. Our Principalship and various other management dudes demonstrate this type of arrogance on a regular basis, although this latest move by Dr. Harris is a cracker. What message does his absence from College at this crtical time give to students and staff? It's a pity he couldn't do the honourable thing and turn his annual leave into permanent leave from the College.
Good luck to our EIS reps. in these important negotiations and lets hope we can bring a favourable end to this dispute which Management have caused.
I am a student at Telford College and I am really disturbed at the way the management have conducted themselves during the last couple of weeks. They are clearly unable or unwilling to answer student questions, they have reacted very slowly to the current lack of NUS representation within the college and have even now blocked the use of non college email providers such as Hotmail and Yahoo claiming this will enhance communication within the college. The college management seems set on encouraging inequallity and manipulating the free flow of information. A world Class Education in 21st Century Scotland?????????????????
Does the assistant principal actually have the power to make a decision on the matter, or are we being left hanging until Ray Harris decides to swan back from his holidays? Surely these meetings are pointless if no conclusion can be reached.
This level of incompetence is truly unbelievable.
I cannot believe the utter contempt that Ray Harris has shown students and staff by going on holiday during strike action. He must earn in excess of £100,000 per year, surely he can afford to loose the deposit on any holiday he has booked and go after this is sorted out. It is no wonder the staff at 2 colleges have had votes of no confirdence in his leadership. Surely its time heand his team stepped down.
In statement after statement Ray Harris has said that the EIS have refused to enter discussions. How ironic. The EIS initiate talks and Ray is off on his hols. Its laughable. It'll be interesting to see how the colleges privately hired PR company will try and spin this one.
I must say it's a bit lacking in protocol not to postpone holidays while this first strike action in 20+ years is taking place
He cannot be serious
CEOs get oodles of dosh and can therefore he should be able to afford to delay his much needed rest
What do the senior managers do during the summer break
Anyone would think they were doing their best to avoid being in the building at the same time as the hard working staff
Dear Ray
Wish you were here to explain to the students how you have improved their learning experience by cutting -
the number of full time permanent lecturers
the amount of taught time for courses
the payrate of temporary lecturers
pensions of temporary lecturers
I hope you can help because I can't see where the benefit is.
Perhaps you might also be able to explain why you went ahead with a 2 week holiday while the college is in one of the worst educational disputes to happen in Scotland.
All the people that are currently enjoying your 'imposed strategy' may be a little sickened to think that you are on annual leave while they pay the price. Many of the Agency workers who were not paid at the end of September may feel aggrieved - as they struggle to pay their bills.
Perhaps if you send a postcard morale will improve.
It is surprising to note that in an action pertaining to technicalities relating to employment conditions that the students of ETC are the victims. How can Lecturers, who are employed to share their knowledge with their students, justify depriving those students of their education ? Perhaps less time spent inflating the debate through blogging and more time negotiating and reflecting on responsibilities would facilitate education..... If colleagues investigated what rights and privileges were actually eroded by the acquisition of Protocol National - instead of believing rumours - they would come to the rationale that little, if anything is given away by using Protocol. In any case this issue does not affect full time Lecturers in the slightest - they are still sitting pretty in their permanent positions. Maybe they should get back to work?
It would appear that the need for negotiation is paramount. Ironically enough Lecturers who are inflamed and aggravated regarding the imposition of Protocol National at ETC are striking. Their refusal to go to work deprives their students of an education. I am unaware of students having any part to play in the negotiations regarding the acquisition of Protocol National. However, as a result of this action they are deprived of a service they have already paid for - their education. No lecturers - no classes and consequently no education. But fees are paid and in good faith students expect an education. A not unreasonable assumption. I should imagine that the majority of striking Lecturers are full time and consequently completely unaffected by the imposition of Protocol National. Full time permanent staff are completely unaffected by this move towards agency outsourcing - but I should imagine they are manning the picket . Seems somewhat unnecessary as these issues do not affect them. Perhaps they would achieve more lasting results by getting back to work.
The author(s)? of the last 2 comments may be correct to observe that the imposition of Protocol National at Telford does not directlty effect full-time lecturers. Their arguement is somewhat self defeating however, for isn't it heartwarming that there are still individuals who will come together and stand up for the rights of others in less fortunate circumstances.
As far as "inflating the debate through blogging" goes I am sure most people would agree that the bigger the debate the more civilised and mature the democracy.
Civilisation and maturity in any debate would necessarily be promoted through the active comprehension and dissemination of the facts - not through tired and politically meaningless tub thumping.
It is difficult to see whose argument is more "self defeating". At what point will you actually get back to your job? What reassurances will need to be given? That ETC will get rid of Protocol - this seems unlikely as they have already contractually obliged themselves to use their services and no doubt penalties will ensue if these contracts are reneged upon. Would it be enough that the big, bad bogey goes away?
Or is it better if Bomber Harris steps down admitting his culpability? Highly unlikely. Or perhaps in some far off Shangri La all part time temporary Lecturers will get a decent set of terms and conditions. Lets get real - they will always be at the bottom of the heap. No more likely to be employed respectfully at the end of this dispute than before regardless of how many of their colleagues man the picket on their behalf. You may not have noticed but choruses of the Red Flag have very little impact these days and any egotistical rhetoric that purports to suggest that actions are taken on behalf of the downtrodden tend to be very self serving.
But where does this leave us - no classes and no teaching. At what point did the student become the pawn? Teaching - which I may remind you all who are supposed to do it - is your job. That is why you are engaged by the College. Lecturers' primary responsibility is in that arena - the pursuit of politically inspired - and it must be said poorly researched and misunderstood causes should be reserved for their social life and not needlessly imposed or acted out on their students who are unwitting victims throughout this debacle.
The maintenance of standards - no doubt a clarion call within this action - cannot really be a strong platform when industrial action affects innocent bystanders who have a right to expect that they receive a decent education. That is what they have signed up for.
It is very difficult to see how this action damages or even inconveniences the Senior Management at ETC. In fact it probably confirms a range of assumptions regarding their workforce. It would be far more meaningful to consider how direct action that strikes at the heart of the matter could be taken to resolve this issue.
Why should the people affected by this decision be the only ones to take action? It's a ridiculous argument. You don't have to be personally affected by something to protest against it. I dread to think what kind of society this would be if nobody supported or stood up for each other.
Why is it 'ironic' that Lecturers are striking? They have been left no other choice since Management imposed this change without any discussion with EIS. In the short term, yes, it is affecting students. But Lecturers are fighting for the long term interests of the students, namely a decent education from well qualified Lecturers who are motivated and enthusiastic about their jobs. The use of PN 'Agency Workers' who may be on very short term contracts, for less pay and poor conditions and get no Staff Development paid for, or any paid time to develop materials, must be to the detriment of the students educational experience.
As was mentioned in another blog post, the 'no redundancy' agreement which SMT have been using to try to alleviate concerns of students and the public ends very soon. I am aware that several departments have been threatened with this and told their subject area is 'under review'. Many 'Permanent' Lecturers are worried they will lose their jobs come the summer. This culture of fear is not conducive to a 'world class' experience for staff or students. There is also the worry that as Permanent staff leave they are not replaced by other permanent posts, but by Agency staff. If the agency is allowed to stay, how long will it be before the majority of teaching staff at the college are hired through a profit making agency, and Permanent Lecturers are an endangered minority?
Could the author of the very articulate and considered comment which begins "Civilisation & maturity...." please offer an opinion as to what more appropriate direct action might be.
I can assure everyone that members of the EIS at Telford or any other school or college do not want to be on strike or disadvantaging their students I am sure therefore that all suggestions of alternative action will be welcomed and fully considered.
To the previous blogger who posted at 21:46, 22:00 and 00:40 , some points:
- It is you who is using the students as pawns. This could be construed as a devious ploy to turn students against the lecturers.
- Students, of their own volition, have given full support to the action and have actually called for the resignation of the Principal
- Protocol National staff are also involved in the industrial action
- The reasons for taking action have been meticulously researched and are well understood by those taking the action
- The politics of the strike are not as simple as you suggest, there is certainly no Red Flag flying at Telford
- To say ‘Lets get real – they will always be bottom of the heap’ – this is precisely the attitude that pervades amongst Telford management today and is why industrial relations in the College are so poor
Those who have made comments about how we all should get on with it as it does not affect us, and "there will always be a bottom of the heap" clearly are self centred, arrogant,and probably have no friends. Get counselling.
Despite your minority; thankfully we still do live in a society which promotes helping those who are less fortunate. That is why we have laws against discrimination. Laws which prevent Sexual discrimination were not fought for by just women. Race discrimination was not abolished because of those races who were attacked, but by society as a whole. We now have laws to protect Age discrimination. This is a sign of a caring society, something which is clearly alien to you lot.
The fact is Laws now exist to protect temporary staff from being discriminated against as well. ETC management however wish to seek every avenue possible to flout those laws.
To say that we are not affected only highlights the personality defects of those writing those comments. Of course we are affected. If you see someone next to you being discriminated against it would be immoral and unlawful in most instances to turn a blind eye.
What you cannot comprehed is that Permanent Lecturers are prepared to lose money to defend their collegues and pricinples. The Students are also willing to sacrifice taught time for justice.
If you lot were so worried about the loss of taught time for students you would be protesting with the lecturers and students in order restore the taught time already stolen from students by the ETC management who believe that less time in front of lecturers is actually in the interest of the students who prefer self-directed study.
However, please let me know who you lot are so that if i ever see you in trouble, I won't go against your principles and give you a helping hand.
ED
CAN YOU PLEASE MAKE THE HEADLINE
EIS continue negotiations on Monday 8 October 2007. College Principal unable to take part as he went on holiday for 2 weeks on 1st Oct 2007.
Why would the head of any organisation go on 2 weeks holiday during a serious crisis?
There are now numerous lecturers looking for jobs elsewhere and there is a serious danger of courses collapsing as key staff with flimsy contracts decide to move on to more stable working environments.
Why should a few people have the power to undemocratically impose draconian working conditions and create so much havoc.
The organisational structure is now so laden with management posts and consultants and agencies that it is only a matter of time before it grinds to a halt. This hierarchy is maintained by draining financial resources from teaching and students. And this makes for a better learning experience!!!
When the Principal returns from holiday will he tell the students how much has been spent on PN and Halogen the PR agency?
It seems to me that many OTHER problems are being aired under the umbrella of Protocol National. Firstly, permanent lecturers do not "lose their jobs" over the summer, just like that.As this comment seems to have been written by a student - you do not, or should not, have access to lecturers' contracts.
Having said that, colleges have always had the right to restructure and review areas within the college. Whether we agree with it or not, this happens fairly regularly and is the mandate of SMT's. Sometimes people lose jobs due to this process. Obviously this is unfortunate, but is nothing to do with Protocol N. And the comment regarding permanent staff leaving and not being replaced - that is usual practice is FE, but again has not just appeared because of Protocol National - these are financial decision deemed necessary. Not pleasant, not ideal, but FACTS, and not new!!!
The fact that that "many ETC lecturers are now looking for jobs elsewhere" is not new either - if ETC lecturers think that Protocol National is the first and only reason to be striking, they are living a truly blinkered life!!! What about their salary scales, which are significantly lower than many other colleges in Scotland? What about the ridiculous working conditions mentioned in another part of this blog (in the state of the art new college)? Surely these, among others, are ongoing serious concerns?
The comment about students losing time because of this strike requires some attention - students on so-called full-time courses have 12 or even 10 hours tutor contact time. Why are ETC staff - AND STUDENTS - not striking about THIS? It has been happening for years, and is tolerated.
This is not an attempt to "turn students against staff", but to put some problems into context.
I am NOT in favour of agency staff in principle. But all Protocol National staff are not underqualified fly-by-nights - in fact some are more qualified than the existing full-time staff.
Yes, there is a problem, and yes, people have a perfect right to act on their beliefs.
But again, ALL the problems (some of which are actually behind the present decision to employ agency staff) should not be laid at the door of P.N.
You would think that for a college who is trying to establish a good reputation they would put an end to the endless striking!!!
Even just not to damage the reputation of the school. Who would want to go to a college who discrimitates against their staff??
What happend to equal opportunities to everyone?
a bit ironic??
Surely Harris and Irving should do the honourable thing and resign. What an enormous blunder this has been on their part.
Where is the Board of Management in all this? Certainly not managing.....
Just for the record - the £10.17 rate offered by P National is for a LEARNING ASSISTANT with LIMITED DIRECT STUDENT CONTACT. The MINIMUM lecturing rate offered is £25.53 - rising to over £35 if the role includes course development.
I have no axe to grind, but PLEASE get facts right before printing inflamatory comments and "anecdotal" evidence. This would help keep hysteria at bay.....?
The pay rate of £10.17 was clearly advertised on the PN website as being for a Visiting Lecturer in Art & Design not a learning assistant. It is PN who need to get their facts straight.
Please see Link:
http://www.teachfe.com/viewjob.asp?jobid=59088
The two jobs advertised at £10.17 where advertised as VISITING LECTURERS and are for classes that have in the past been deliverd by a lecturer and more recently an Instructor, never by a learning assisstant. Technically the claases are in the evening and are delivered by a memnber of staff over the academic year. If it was a learning assisstant how excatly are they going to assisst the learning within these classes without a Lecturer having already taught the theory and underpining knowledge. In fact how is an Instructor to instruct the learner if the students have no Lecturer to teach the theory and under pinning knowledge. Its simple Instructors and Learning assisstants as with PN sourced staff are being used to TEACH and replace Lecturers, whilst on considrably lower wages and conditions. The longer this dispute goes on the more of this kind of practice will be exposed........have the Board a clue what is happening within the college, at student-teaching level or have they been misled by the exagerration of new teaching styles and methods.
oh there is another new VISITING LECTURER post on the Teach FE website that has been filled for Telford college
http://www.teachfe.com/viewjob.asp?jobid=64100
at the princely sum of £15:50 per hour ............what job could this be we wonder.... is it for a VISITING LECTURER or not? If it isn't, they are certainly advertising in bad faith and breaking the trades discription act. I think it is not us who need to get our facts correct but the company that the College is paying a lot of money to advertise jobs for them.....and incorrectly..or then again is it incorrect?
Answers on a postcard from where ever you are please !
does it really need this dispute to highlight the problem of lecturers being replaced by the classroom assisstant and insructor posts? How long has this been happening before the present strike. It is not a fair practice now, but it has not been fair for a long time. and ECT were doing it long before protocol national came along . It seems to be just more of the same.
If management are so concerned about the students then why don't they offer the students additional class contact time and deliver those hours themselves !! If they still remember how to or are in fact able to.
Come on guy's, come down from the ivory tower and smell the coffee, your time is up.
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