Strike ballot

Support staff at UHI Perth could be among those to take strike action following a“derisory” pay offer from College Employers Scotland.

College employees across Scotland have voted to take action in a formal ballot, with 92 per cent voting for action on a 62 per cent turn out.

The ballot rejects a two per cent pay offer and calls for action over the harmonisation of contracts and pay grades.

The union’s further education branch will announce action dates soon, which could have an impact on colleges right across Scotland.

College staff are expected to start strike action before the summer, disrupting preparations for the next academic year.

The PA did not receive a response when its asked the Perth and Kinross UNISON branch how many, if any, UHI Perth staff will be involved or impacted.

UNISON represents learning support employees including librarians, IT specialists, technicians, administrative and business support staff, cleaners, canteen workers and estate management staff in every college across the country.

The union says that strike action will send a strong message that a substantially increased pay offer and that a national system of pay and grading (with equal pay for roles of similar weighting across the college sector) is urgently needed to avert action.

UNISON Scotland further education branch secretary Chris Greenshields said: “[College staff ] are calling on employers to get serious and sit down with UNISON to avoid a summer of discontent for the sector.

“The current two per cent offer is derisory and does little to protect staff from cost of living increases.”

Dr Margaret Cook, UHI Perth Principal said she understood concerns but said:“colleges nationally are receiving flat cash funding from the Scottish Government. At the same time, costs are increasing significantly, including energy bills and other running costs.”