College lecturers take more strike action in ongoing pay battle
COLLEGE lecturers in Glasgow joined others across Scotland to strike again in an ongoing dispute over pay.
Members of the Educational Institute of Scotland – Further Education Lecturers’ Association (EIS-FELA) are demanding what they say is a fair cost of living increase, in line with public sector pay policy.
EIS-FELA said it has rejected a 2 per cent increase offer over three years, and accused employers’ association Colleges Scotland of seeking to tearup existing commitments on working conditions.
Members walked out yesterday over the issue which, according to EISFELA president Pam Currie, left management labelling lecturers as “greedy”. She said: “Our pay claim is entirely reasonable and wholly in line with public sector pay policy. Lecturers are asking only for a fair pay settlement that reflects the rising cost of living.
“Yet the response of management has been to label us ‘greedy’ and ‘unrealistic’, as they have repeatedly rejected all our attempts to reach a fair negotiated agreement.”
It is the third time EISFELA members have gone on strike this year after 24-hour walkouts in January and February.
On Tuesday, Colleges Scotland said lecturers north of the border were “by far the best paid across the UK” and it was disappointed EIS-FELA had turned down six improved pay offers.