College lecturers vote for industrial action over new posts plan

Employees at Forth Valley College have voted for industrial action over plans to replace 30 lecturers’ posts with support staff roles.

The industrial action will see EIS members take action short of striking from November 10 until January 29 next year over the proposals, which would apply across the college’s campuses in Stirling, Alloa and Falkirk.

Union officials have slammed the plans as being motivated by cutting costs and said they were a “retrograde step” for both staff and students.

They also claimed the proposals would impact the quality of education provided, with the new roles not requiring a teaching qualification.

However, the college said it was “deeply disappointed” about the decision to take industrial action.

It said the moves were about “improving the quality of teaching and learning”, as well as bringing it into line with the demands of industry and employers.

The action will include a ‘work to rule’, escalating to a refusal to take an accurate student register, marking boycotts and refusal to cover for absent colleagues.

Forth Valley College branch convenor Anne-marie Harley said: “We are furious that the college is trying to attack our contracts and profession during a global pandemic.”

She added: “We hope that management with reconsider their position and we will continue to seek a resolution, but this result shows that staff are more than prepared to take action to defend our livelihoods and our students’ right to quality education.”

Representatives from both sides met on Wednesday to attempt to thrash out a deal to avert the action, with union chiefs set for a final meeting on November 9.

Following the meeting, principal of Forth Valley College, Dr Ken Thomson, said: “We are pleased to have had constructive dialogue with union representatives today as we try to find a resolution to the current dispute.

“We have put forward a number of points for consideration, which EIS FELA will now take back to their members before a further meeting which is planned for Wednesday 9 November 2020.

“In the best interests of our students, we sincerely hope the response is positive.

“Any action short of strike action will have a serious impact on our students, who are already facing challenges due to the ongoing pandemic.

“We can’t stress enough how important it is that we work together to ensure that we can support our students and help them to achieve their qualifications.

“We need to move forward and accept this role is now a critical part of our core delivery.”

Dr Thomson added: “The role will greatly enhance the learner experience at the college and align delivery to the needs of their future employers.”