The views of UCU members at CONEL have been consistently misrepresented by senior management at CCCG.

UCU members at CONEL have continually expressed their opposition to the use of PPVs. We have been vocal in raising our concerns about the non-standardised approach, the lack of feedback and how they have been used as a tool for increased monitoring. PPVs have not only failed in supporting teachers in their professional development, but have been the cause for increased stress and anxiety. Some lecturers have been repeatedly observed. The introduction of PPVs was justified by management as supportive. The reality is that they have been seen to be punitive, with certain individuals being targeted.

Not only have we been repeatedly ignored, but CCCG senior management is now hailing this policy as a success, and are using it as the basis for a proposed observation policy to be applied across the group.

The message that management want to convey is that we are more than are happy with PPVs. It is, therefore, imperative that we send a clear message to our colleagues at CIC and WKC that this is not the situation at CONEL and that we are appalled at being misrepresented in this way. This must stop. Staff at CONEL are anything but happy with the PPV system.

PPVs are not the only example of senior management ignoring the views of our members. As you all know, the return to work date in August gets earlier every year. Management has always stated that we need to open early to ‘get ahead of the competition.’ We would dispute that this has any positive impact on enrolment numbers, but has a detrimental effect on staff with childcare responsibilities. UCU at CONEL has always argued against it. Unfortunately, this is now being rolled out to other colleges in the group.

Staff at CONEL are not happy with PPVs, nor are we happy to return to work in early August every year. We call upon CCCG management to stop misrepresenting the situation at CONEL to the wider group.