College strikes will not result in new pay offer, lecturers told

A string of university teacher strikes will not bring a higher salary offer, bosses have warned.

College Employers Scotland said the proposed measure was “disappointing” after an increase was offered in negotiations two weeks ago.

But the EIS Continuing Education Lecturers Association (EIS-FELA) said this is not beginning to address the rise in the cost of living.

More than 70% of union members supported the strikes, which are due to start on Wednesday.

The union plans 14 days of action over six weeks in April and May.

Gavin Donoghue, director of College Employers Scotland, said: “Strike action will not result in increased supply, there are simply no more funds for colleges to propose.

“Universities already have a deficit of £5.7m and the sector faces a £51.9m cut in funding in real terms this autumn.”

College Employers Scotland’s original offer included a one-off payment of £150 plus a consolidated payment of £850 in recognition of work done during the pandemic.

The body, which represents colleges across Scotland, said it was a higher salary offer than teachers, civil servants, the police and fire services would accept.

Mr Donoghue said: “In a last-ditch attempt to stave off industrial action, College Employers Scotland offered £50 in addition to the one-off payment to stop strike action being carried out, which was refused.

“Our offer actually goes beyond what universities can afford. We have used our resources to the maximum because we value the work of the faculty and want to avoid further disruption to our students.”

He added that the door was open to union negotiators if they wanted to discuss “practical, workable and affordable plans” to end the dispute.

Students will face interruptions leading up to their summer exams.

However, EIS Secretary General Larry Flanagan said college faculty have gone “beyond” for students during the Covid-19 pandemic and have delivered “high standards of teaching and learning”.

“They did so despite an EIS survey showing that EIS-FELA members are experiencing increasing levels of stress and workload, while many college faculty have not received health check-ins from their employers,” he said.

When the union announced election results earlier this month, Mr Flanagan said “words of gratitude” and a salary offer that “does not address the pressure on the cost of living” were not enough.

The college sector in Scotland employs more than 11,000 people and provides education and training to around 240,000 students.