College lecturers in Scotland begin strike

Lecturers in further education in Scotland are beginning the first of a series of strikes today, after members of the EIS trade union overwhelmingly backed industrial action.

An offer of one per cent pay rise in line with other public sector workers was rejected by the union, along with proposals which see lecturers doing similar jobs in different institutions paid different amounts.

EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said some colleges in Scotland had refused to take part in negotiations, despite a commitment from the Scottish Government to national bargaining on pay and conditions.

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“Lecturers are taking this action as a last resort, following the failure of college management to offer a fair deal on pay equality.

“Management side negotiators have dragged their feet for well over a year, before finally making a completely unacceptable pay offer that fails to make any attempt to address pay inequities across the sector,” he said.

 Colleges Scotland urged the union to call off the strike.

Chief executive Shona Struthers said: “We are under no illusion that the reintroduction of National Bargaining to the college sector is a major challenge, but one we fully support.

“Throughout, we have been totally committed to putting the best deal on the table to reward staff for their hard work and commitment. Crucially, the deal has to be deliverable in a financially sustainable way, both now and in the future.”