Commenting after UNISON announced plans for a strike day on 29 February 2024, a spokesperson for College Employers Scotland said: “It is regrettable that UNISON has opted to press ahead with a strike that will only add to the disruption already experienced by students last year.

“UNISON has been offered a consolidated pay rise of £5,000 alongside other college support staff over three years. This is the employers’ full and final offer and remains on the table despite the exceptionally difficult financial circumstances facing colleges. If accepted, it would deliver an average pay rise of nearly 16% for support staff going back to September 2022, and 21.5% for support staff earning less than £25,000.

“Unite and GMB members have already voted overwhelmingly to accept the offer – but UNISON members need to do the same before any additional money can be paid to college support staff.

“Colleges are acutely aware of the financial pressures that staff are under. That is why they want to apply the proposed pay increase in the earliest possible pay period. We therefore urge UNISON to cancel plans for another strike and ballot its members on the very substantial pay offer that is still on the table from employers.”