Commenting on the results of UNISON's ballot to extend strike action at colleges, Gavin Donoghue, Director of College Employers Scotland, said:

“It is regrettable that 48% of UNISON members have voted to take further strike action.

“UNISON, alongside the other support staff unions (Unite and GMB), has only recently been offered a full and final consolidated pay rise of £5,000 for all college support staff over three years.

"If this offer was accepted by trade unions, it would deliver a near 16% average pay rise from September next year for support staff and 21.5% for those staff earning less than £25,000.

“The offer has been made amid extremely challenging financial circumstances for colleges, including an 8.5% real-terms Scottish Government funding cut since 2021/22 and flat cash budgets going forward. 

"Employers simply cannot afford to go beyond their full and final offer, and further damaging strikes will not result in an improved offer, only more disruption for students."