Covid19 in HE and FE

March 23rd 2020

Covid19 in HE and FE

March 23rd 2020

Covid 19: Unions voice serious and shared concerns over inconsistent response and lack of a coordinated approach across both the further and higher education

In a letter to Richard Lochhead MSP Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, the STUC has called for urgent assurances to be given to everyone working in HE and FE that they will continue to be paid their usual wages throughout this crisis and until normal work resumes, whether directly or indirectly employed.

Union representing workers in the sector are particularly concerned about the thousands of people employed on casual, insecure, short-term and outsourced contracts, who are at greatest risk of losing their income without sectoral guidance to protect them.

STUC General Secretary Designate Rozanne Foyer said:

“We are seriously concerned that the five unions represented in FE and HE were not consulted early on decisions that have been made on campuses. Students and staff are crying out for consistency, clear information and the security of knowing their pay and jobs are safe.

“Unions met last week with the Minister and we hope for and expect that a swift follow up meeting will be arranged and that we begin to see evidence that workers’ fears are addressed.”

Letter to Minister