College lecturers across Scotland strike again amid dispute over pay

College lecturers across the country are out on strike again on Thursday amid dispute over pay.

It comes after staff walked out on Monday on the first of nine strike days in May and June following previous industrial action.

It’s part of a rolling series of walkouts in a long-standing dispute over pay and includes the University of the Highlands and Islands, North East Scotland College, and Dundee and Angus colleges.

Striking in front of the UHI Inverness, Educational Institute of Scotland Further Education Lecturers’ Association branch secretary Karen Mackay said the strike is “more than just about pay”.

“Yes, we’re asking for a pay rise,” she said, “We’ve not had a pay rise since 2021, but we are absolutely fighting for the future of tertiary education.

“We want quality experience for our students. We want to be back in there teaching them.”

An offer of £5,000 over three years has been made to the trade union. It said it was disappointing.

Members of the Educational Institute of Scotland Further Education Lecturers’ Association (EIS FELA) said recent talks did not resolve the dispute.

An EIS spokesperson said: “Although a revised pay claim was tabled to CES at the meeting, the employer’s side was unable to offer any assurances on certain elements of the pay uplift as well as other parts of the claim.

“We would urge CES to come back to the discussions early next week with firm proposals which address our claim.”

College bosses maintain the strike will not result in an improved offer.

Scottish Labour’s education spokeswoman, Pam Duncan-Glancy, accused further education minister Graeme Dey of taking “very little” action in the long-running pay dispute, which dates back to 2022.

In a letter to the further education minister, Duncan-Glancy said Dey must set out how he intends to resolve the dispute between lecturers and employers.

She said: “Scotland’s further education sector is in crisis, but the minister responsible has been missing in action.

“Scotland’s students and education workers demand action to resolve this dispute; it’s time for Graeme Dey to act.

“The ongoing uncertainty this is creating in the sector is having a detrimental impact on college staff, students, and employers,” she added.

“I am sure that you will agree with me that time is of the essence, and that a solution must be found.

“Indeed, I have called on you on numerous occasions to intervene.

“Unfortunately, to date, the Government has done very little to address this ongoing issue, and in fact, you have stated repeatedly that you believe it is not for the Government to intervene.

“The sector is at breaking point, and what is needed is action by the Scottish Government.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Responsibility for these negotiations rests with the National Joint Negotiating Committee.

“However, the further education minister spoke with both sides earlier this week to encourage progress towards a resolution of the dispute, and the Scottish Government will continue to engage with management and unions as they work to reach a settlement which is fair and affordable.”