UNISON has written an open letter to the board of governors at Barnsley College, calling on them to help bring senior leaders at the college to the negotiating table, and help end the long-running dispute.
Here is the letter in full.
You will be aware that UNISON members working at Barnsley College have been in dispute with the college since April over the college’s failure to negotiate with the recognised trade unions regarding pay. This is despite the fact that we have a recognition agreement with the college that entitles us to be negotiated with on pay.
The college has shown no interest in seeking to resolve the dispute. In August, UNISON asked the college to participate in talks with the arbitration service ACAS in an attempt to avoid the need for industrial action. The college reluctantly agreed but sadly the talks did not lead to a resolution due to the college’s unwillingness to change its position.
UNISON members have just completed four days of strike action, following a week-long walkout in November, as well as two strike days in September and October. Our members have asked us to re-ballot them for further strike action once the current mandate expires. There is a real prospect of this dispute running into 2024.
Our members had hoped that the recent change in leadership at the college would lead to a change in attitude and a more conciliatory approach. Unfortunately, we are yet to see any sign of this. Indeed, the college’s recent approach to industrial relations has been bitterly disappointing. So far, they have sent three emails to all college staff seeking to discredit the union and undermine our members’ dispute. They have also withdrawn the invitation from the long-standing UNISON representative to attend joint consultation meetings with the college. Despite this behaviour, our membership has grown by 30 percent since the beginning of the dispute and our members remain determined.
We understand that Barnsley College has received a share of the £185 million additional funding that central government has given to further education colleges to increase pay, and will receive a share of a further £285 million in April. The college hasn’t told us how much they have received, or how they intend to use it. This is disrespectful and is no way to treat employees who are members of a recognised trade union.
We call upon you as governors to unlock the current deadlock and bring the college’s leadership to the negotiating table to prevent a long and bitter dispute.
Yours sincerely,
Ben Harvey-Wade
Branch Secretary
Barnsley UNISON
