Commenting on the results of the EIS-FELA’s latest industrial action ballot, Gavin Donoghue, Director of College Employers Scotland, said:

“It is regrettable that 45% of EIS-FELA members have voted to continue with strikes and around half with Action Short of Strike (ASOS), including a resulting boycott. The resulting boycott, in particular, unfairly targets student progression and has already caused significant anxiety and disruption since it was first launched last year.

“It should be noted that those who voted in favour of strike action and ASOS account for only around a third of the full-time equivalent college lecturing workforce.

“Only last month, the Scottish Government published a draft 2024/25 Budget which, after taking into account the in-year loss of a £26 million transformation fund, set out a cash reduction of £32.7 million, or 4.7%, in college sector budgets. This comes after an 8.5% real-terms cut in Scottish Government funding for colleges since 2021/22.

“These significant financial pressures on college budgets mean that more industrial action will not result in an improved pay offer, only more disruption and anxiety for students.

“We urge the EIS-FELA to recognise the financial reality facing colleges and engage with employers to find a resolution to the pay dispute, allowing colleges to continue providing the world-class learning experience our students deserve.”