This year’s EIS-FELA conference took place in March in Glasgow with lecturers coming together from across the college sector to discuss issues close to them and their colleagues.

Discussions around funding, wellbeing and health and safety took centre stage this year as EIS-FELA members gathered to debate the pressures shaping colleges and the priorities for the next year. Across the many motions that day there was a consistent message that colleges are vital community resources, and that they must remain publicly funded and publicly accountable to both staff and the students they serve.

The conference opened with a focus on funding and student support. Mike Cowley introduced the first motion, calling for restorative funding across further education, including ring fenced provision for student mental health. The motion also called for the protection of FE’s identity as publicly funded, community anchored centres of lifelong learning.

Motion 2 continued on this theme, asking delegates to recognise colleges as part of the community, vital pathways to a better life for many in Scotland and therefore to oppose any attempts to restructure, restyle or reclassify colleges as pseudo universities.

Discussion of the motions was then paused for a session on the Disrupting Disinformation and Digital Discourse Initiative, led by Eireann McAauley of the EIS and Jordan Daly of TIE.

Through discussion exercises, members explored strategies for tackling misinformation and engaging students in critical thinking. Most importantly delegates placed emphasis on opening up frank conversations, a key initiative of disrupting disinformation.

Delegates were encouraged to take this work further by engaging with ongoing training and professional learning opportunities.

The most urgent discussion of conference was centred around Health and Safety, particularly in relation to ongoing industrial action at City of Glasgow College.

Thora Hands moved motion 3 of conference speaking on behalf of striking lecturers in the welding and fabrication department at City of Glasgow College. The motion called on colleges to produce clear national guidance on minimum PPE and RPE standards for FE workshops.

raising health and safety concerns is never the problem, it is part of the solution

Thora highlighted the reluctance of management to take the dispute seriously, with their health and safety rep even being labelled an alarmist. Thora concluded that “raising health and safety concerns is never the problem, it is part of the solution”.

Stevie Elliot from Forth Valley College then spoke in support of the motion, citing his own college’s struggle with securing proper equipment and safe working and learning conditions for lecturers and students.

The issue took on added weight with an address from Kathleen McGarrity, one of the striking lecturers. She challenged claims of ignorance from management and expressed frustration at what she described as deflection and a lack of transparency.

Speaking candidly, she called for a commitment to safe working and learning conditions where risk of carcinogenic dust is properly managed, and for meaningful steps to rebuild trust between staff and management. “We need a commitment to rebuild trust between management and lecturers at the college—starting with urgent action to address our health and safety concerns.”

Andrea Bradley, EIS General Secretary, also spoke to delegates reaffirming her support for further education members and in particular those taking action at City of Glasgow College.

At the time of writing this article, lecturers at City of Glasgow College are still in dispute with management over these health and safety concerns.

Delegates also considered a range of motions on wider issues, including rising additional support needs in colleges, stress at work, transitions between schools and colleges, and questions around governance.
Members also called on the FELA Executive Committee to work on raising the profile of both Union Learning Reps (motion 19) and Equality Representatives (motion 20) amongst the FELA membership.

Beyond the discussion of motions, before the close of conference, members took time for a moment of reflection and appreciation. Delegates marked the retirement of Eileen Imlah, recognising her long-standing contribution to the union and the wider education movement.

A special thank you was also given to Anita Stewart who has recently taken up a new post within the EIS after 11 years of service as FELA admin officer.