The EIS-FELA has rejected a generous offer from the employers. The trade union is taking its members out on 14 days of discontinuous strike action throughout April and May. The union is also planning short of strike which includes withdrawal of goodwill and a resulting boycott.

Commenting on the EIS-FELA action, Alex Linkston, Chair of College Employers Scotland, said:

“We are extremely disappointed that students face possible disruption from the unnecessary actions of the EIS-FELA.

“We met again today and put forward an increased offer to try and avoid industrial action – this was again rejected.

“The additional offer would give every lecturer an extra £50 in their pockets now. This is on top of the £1,000 already offered which is well above what teachers, civil servants, police, and fire service have already accepted.

“Despite the £5.7m deficit the sector is in this academic year and upcoming budget cut of £51.9m, we have stretched our offer to lecturers beyond what we can actually afford as we recognise the outstanding work that staff have carried out throughout the pandemic.

“Colleges are at their financial limit, and we simply cannot afford to offer anything more. We would urge lecturing staff to reconsider and accept the offer on the table.”