COLLEGE lecturers around Scotland have walked out on strike in a long-running dispute over pay.
Members of the Educational Institute of Scotland Further Education Lecturer Association (EIS-FELA) are taking action after talks last week did not resolve the dispute, which dates back to 2022.
EIS-FELA submitted a revised four-year pay claim on Thursday in a bid to break the deadlock but said employers did not offer enough progress for the union to consider suspending strike action this week.
Lecturing staff in colleges around Scotland walked out on Monday the first of nine strike days in May and June, following previous strike action.
READ MORE: ScotRail strikes called off after dispute with guards resolved
College employers are offering a £5000 consolidated pay rise over three academic years from September 2022.
An EIS spokesperson said it was “extremely disappointing” the meeting last week did not achieve enough “tangible progress” for the union to consider suspending the strike action.
The spokesperson said: “Although a revised pay claim was tabled to College Employers Scotland (CES) at the meeting, the employer’s side was unable to offer any assurances on certain elements of the pay uplift as well other parts of the claim.
“College lecturing staff want to be back in colleges, delivering classes and helping their students achieve their qualifications.
“However, they will continue to fight in order to receive a suitable pay rise which addresses some of the financial pain and stress they have had to endure during the worst cost-of-living crisis in recent times.”
CES director, Gavin Donoghue, said previously: “It is deeply regrettable that the EIS-FELA is planning yet more strikes over May and into June.
“This latest escalation from the trade union will not result in improved pay proposals from employers, only disruption to students as they undertake vital exams and assessments.
“The employers’ offer of a £5000 consolidated pay rise over three academic years is full and final.”
He added: “The quickest way to resolve this dispute is for the EIS-FELA to cancel their escalation of strike action and formally ballot their members on the employers’ full and final three-year pay offer.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here