This document is the NUT briefing paper for the spring term 2012. It includes details on the pay and funding campaign, pensions and a number of other issues specific to the sector.

This document is the second NUT briefing paper for the Summer term 2011 and gives details of the NUT ballot and action on pensions, pay and funding in sixth form colleges, including a copy of the pay

This document is the NUT briefing paper for the Summer term 2011 and gives details of the NUT pensions' ballot, the proposed campaign over funding and pay in sixth form colleges and the new NUT worklo

This document is the second NUT briefing paper for the Spring term 2011 and gives details of the further consultative ballot of eligible members on the 2010 pay offer and further advice on registratio

This document is the NUT briefing paper for the Spring term 2011 and gives details of the latest position regarding the pay negotiations for 2010-11 for teachers in sixth form colleges, following the consultative ballot of eligible members.

This document is the second NUT briefing paper for the Autumn term 2010 and reports on the 2010-11 pay negotiations for sixth form college teachers.

The NUT is now balloting members on a formal offer of 0.75% from the sixth form college employers. Full details of the offer and ballot can be found in the attached letter to members from the General Secretary.

Support your union in the 2010 negotiations on sixth form college teachers’ pay and conditions. The NUT, ATL and NASUWT are seeking a pay increase for you at least equal to that for school teachers.We are also putting forward proposals to protect you against excessive working time and unreasonable workload demands.

Difficult times for public sector pay

This year’s negotiations will be difficult. Last year, the teacher unions secured a pay agreement which gave you a phased 2.3 per cent pay increase. Although this ensured that sixth form college pay scales remain equal to those in schools, the phasing reduced the value of the pay increase for every teacher.

The new Government is threatening stiff public sector pay limits or even pay freezes. The HE and FE employers are offering derisory pay increases for 2010. School teachers, however, are promised 2.3 per cent in September 2010.

For sixth form colleges to maintain their position and recruit and retain the best teachers, they have to offer pay that is competitive with schools. Sixth form colleges’ funding increases for 2010-11 are comparable to those for schools. We believe they can, therefore, afford a comparable pay increase for their teachers.

Any pay agreement must be implemented in every college. We must maintain our national pay structure.

Workload and working time is as important as pay. Issues such as contact hours, group sizes, increasing cover obligations and other pressures such as invigilation must be tackled as well.

What you can do

• Talk to your colleagues about pay and conditions
• Make sure that there is an NUT meeting – invite any non-members and ask them to join the NUT
• Press principals to tell their national representatives that only a 2.3 per cent increase will do and that a fair agreement on workload and working time is needed
• Stay in touch with the NUT via www.teachers.org.uk/6fcs

Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: 'Sixth form college teachers deserve parity with teachers in schools. Help the NUT by playing your part in this year’s campaign for better pay and conditions."

NUT MEMBERS ENDORSE PAY AGREEMENT

The teacher unions have reluctantly accepted a phased 2.3 per cent pay increase for teachers in sixth form colleges for 2009-10.

The NUT is seeking to limit workload for all teachers. All NUT members in sixth form colleges have been sent guidance to advise and help them identify their priorities and the issues to be raised in each college.