Agency working query

musiclecturer

Hi

I'm looking for some advice regarding an employment issue.

I've been working as a visiting lecturer at a local college for three years now. I'm employed through an agency. At the beginning of this academic year, I was told that the college wanted all of its visiting lecturing staff to be registered with the same agency, so I had to switch from the agency I was employed through, to another.

I lecture in music production. The modules require the students to work on projects that last between six and twelve weeks. They then submit their work to me to be marked and graded. The recent submission for fourteen students comprised three parts: two written and a short musical component. Marking this assignment took me six hours. This included the course admin, i.e., completing mark sheets, providing feedback, and sharing this with other members of staff.

In the past, when working for the other agency, I booked whatever hours I had taken and was paid for the extra time at the end of the following week.

I'm now told by both the agency and the college that my hourly rate includes provision for marking, and they won't pay me for the extra hours booked.

I'm contracted for just five hours per week, which is less than last year. I'm paid £23.56 per hour, which, again, is less than last year. 

For the week that I did the extra six hours of work without receiving an extra six hours of pay, received a gross payment of £117.90. That, per hour, £117.90 ÷ 11 = £10.71, is below the minimum wage.

Sorry, it's a rather long-winded question, but is that allowed, please?

Savvy_Sue

Does your contract say that marking timel is included?

What does your union say?