Further education in Wales — solidarity leads to outlawing of ZHCs

In Wales, national negotiations have resulted in a draft contract to be implemented over the next three years which outlaws zero hours contracts for further education lecturers, and which provides a measure of protection for hourly-paid workers, including a commitment to pay all direct employees at least the Living Wage, backdated to 1 August 2013. The joint trade unions — AMiE, ATL, GMB, NASUWT, UCAC, UCU, UNISON and UNITE — chaired by UCAC (Undeb Cenedlaethol Athrowon Cymru), the main Welsh further education union, have been in negotiation over three and a half years with Colegau Cymru to draw up a national contract for all employees in Further Education Colleges in Wales. The new terms will be put to a ballot in November 2014 and all unions are recommending acceptance.

UCU Wales has also campaigned vigorously against use by colleges of lecturers and instructors from agencies, and many colleges have given assurances that they will not use agencies. The union attributes the benefits gained in Wales to solidarity among UCU branches and joint campaigning and negotiating with other unions in Wales.