Commenting after the EIS-FELA issued dates for a strike day and more industrial Action Short of Strike (ASOS), including a new resulting boycott, Gavin Donoghue, Director of College Employers Scotland, said:

“It is regrettable that the EIS-FELA is pressing ahead with plans for yet another strike and a resulting boycott. College students already experienced major disruption to their learning during last year’s industrial action. It is deeply unfair that students could be made to suffer yet again.

“An offer of a £5,000 consolidated pay rise for lecturers over three years is still on the table for the trade union. This proposal has been made despite the precarious and deteriorating financial situation colleges are facing due to government budget cuts. 

“Even before publication of the Scottish Government’s draft 2024/25 Budget, college finances were extremely challenged due to a real-terms reduction of 8.5% in public funding since 2021/22. Government proposals to cut another £32.7 million, or 4.7%, from college budgets will only weaken them further.

“The trade union’s own communications acknowledge that colleges are now facing a significant cash cut in government funding. We, therefore, urge the EIS-FELA to face up to the reality of the situation, cancel their plans for strikes and a new resulting boycott, and accept the fair pay offer that is currently on the table from employers.”