College Employers Scotland met with the EIS-FELA this morning in good faith, and at their request, to try to resolve the current industrial action at the earliest possible opportunity.

Unfortunately, the EIS-FELA failed to put forward any specific proposal which would help end this dispute. Employers, again, offered to provide lecturers with an additional £50 in their pockets right now, but this was comprehensively rejected.

The facts have not changed - college lecturers have the best pay and conditions in the UK, and the current offer of £1,000 is higher than that already accepted by teachers, police and the fire service.

Scotland’s colleges are already facing a £5.7m deficit in this academic year and simply cannot afford to offer anything more.

We would urge the EIS-FELA to reconsider next week’s strike action, and accept the offer on the table.