LECTURERS have entered into a formal dispute with college bosses, claiming they are “extremely disappointed” with a lack of progress in implementing a national pay deal agreed almost a year ago.

Lecturers went on strike for a day in March, after which they accepted a revised offer from Colleges Scotland. Staff were promised pay rises as well as work between colleges and the union to develop a more “harmonised” workforce.

But the Further Education Lecturers’ Association union EIS has announced it is now in dispute with college management.

Union general secretary Larry Flanagan said: “The EIS is extremely disappointed that we have been compelled to enter into formal dispute with college management over lack of progress in implementing the March 2016 national pay agreement.”

Colleges Scotland chief executive Shona Struthers said “talks [were] continuing with the EIS” as part of the national bargaining process, and she hoped they could “continue to build on areas of broad agreement”.