Moving Forward Not Back, on Higher Educationt
Amicus Student Recruitment
Workplace Racism Blocks Training for many Qualified Black Workers
Changes to Provide Pension Protection Announced
Government White Paper on Skills
Delay in Implementation of New Scheme Will Cause Pay Problems
Funding Increase for Universities
Moving Forward Not Back, on Higher Education
Higher education is an area where there is common ground for most of the sections within the sector. Most agree that there is a need for better funding settlements, a rise in funding overall and improved pay for workers within the sector. The present Government has promised to invest more than £1 billion in Britain’s science base and raise public spending on higher education by 34%. They have also said there will be no increase in the present tuition fee and that a quarter of the money raised by these fees will be used as bursaries for students from low-income families. The Government is determined to see a 50% increase in young people entering higher education and see through a 30% rise in the average PhD stipend to make doctoral research more attractive. Amicus fully supports the expansion of the higher education sector and welcomes the extra funding for science and skills. We know that the Labour Government has committed – if elected – to push forward this progressive agenda. On 5th May, your vote for Labour will make it possible for Amicus to continue to build on its work for its members and to influence Government policies for the sector.
Amicus Student Recruitment
Amicus is re-launching our student recruitment campaign. The recruitment material has been redesigned and looks brilliant. The aim of the campaign is to recruit students with an offer to join for £10.00 per annum, which represents fantastic value for money. Amicus is especially keen to hear from representatives with contacts in local student unions that Amicus may approach. Amicus would also like to hear about any recruitment fairs or fresher fairs that are planned at any time in your university. If you can help with any of these details or want copies of recruitment material then please contact Vera Titmus at vera.titmus@amicustheunion.org
Workplace Racism Blocks Training for many Qualified Black Workers
Racism in U.K. workplaces is damaging the career prospects of many black and minority ethnic (BME) workers because at every level of their working life they get less training opportunities, despite often being better qualified than their white counterparts. The TUC has launched a report revealing that even though job related training is more likely to be offered to qualified workers, qualified black and minority ethnic workers receive less opportunities. The report also shows that 28% of BMEs are graduates, compared with just 20% of white workers but only 17% of white workers with a degree have not been offered workplace training compared to 20% of black and minority ethnic workers. However, where BME workers are employed in workplaces with trade union recognition the training opportunities are much better. The positive actions taken by unions in the workplace has gone some way to limiting the effects of workplace racism. For further information and a copy of the report, please go to www.tuc.org.uk/equality/tuc-9668-f0.cfm
Changes to Provide Pension Protection Announced
The Government has introduced changes that give workers whose companies have been taken over, the right to employer pension contributions under new regulations. What this means is that employees with access to occupational pensions provision prior to a TUPE transfer will now have the right to a prescribed level of employer pension provision after the transfer. Mike Robinson, National Officer said “Amicus welcomes this action from the Government, employees deserve to have the protection they need when it comes to their pension provision. The requirements in the Pensions Act and the supporting Regulations will provide that additional security” For further information about these changes please go to www.dwp.gov.uk
Government White Paper on Skills
The White Paper, Skills: Getting on in business, getting on at work part 1, sets out the Government’s plans for the next major phase of reform regarding a National Skills Strategy. The Government is ambitious for a society where young people and adults can expect to keep learning and developing new skills. No-one should feel they are being held back from achieving their aspirations whatever their background, and that educational qualifications should not be seen as a minority pursuit for those in academia. The Government is also intent on ensuring that people know where to go for good accurate information and guidance on the opportunities available to link training, skills and jobs. Everyone should be clear about what training they are entitled to and which pathways to follow to get the training. The Government is hoping that following the recommendations in the White Paper the U.K. should become a nation in which everyone has the chance to progress as far as their talents, ambitions and motivation can take them. For further information about the White Paper and a downloadable copy please go to www.dfes.gov.uk/publications/skillsgettingon/
Delay in Implementation of New Scheme Will Cause Pay Problems
Universities delaying the implementation of the new pay frame work could increasingly lose out in the market for new staff. Calls for pay rises from this August could exacerbate pay differences. Those workers at universities where negotiations are ahead will see their salaries go up further, and others will be left behind. There could be a clear split emerging between universities forging ahead and those being left behind. Mike Robinson, National Officer said ” it is clear from the settlements at Leeds and Manchester that a number of groups have settled at salaries that are above what they were earning previously. In a competitive labour market universities who are slow at negotiating good agreements will see themselves disadvantaged when it comes to recruiting top quality staff”
Funding Increase for Universities
European Union funding of universities could dramatically increase between 2007 and 2013 under proposals released this week by the European Commission. In a policy paper on higher education, the Commission says universities should receive a much higher share of the EU’s structural funds. This decision follows hard on the heels of a Commission proposal for a massive boost in research funding through the €67 billion Seventh Framework Programme and a proposal for the EU’s largest financial institution, the European Investment Bank to expand initiatives to fund higher education.
We need a Labour Government to ensure the relationship we have between the higher education sector and Government develops, and you can play a role in this on 5th May 2005 by voting Labour in the election.
Please forward this bulletin to all of your union members and colleagues in your workplace or institution.
This bulletin has been produced by Janet Golds, Research Officer for the Higher Education Sector.
If you have any news items you would like included in the e bulletin, please contact Janet Golds on janet.golds@amicustheunion.org