Classes due to be cancelled due to college lecturers’ strike
Classes at Forth Valley College campuses were today (Wednesday) due to be cancelled because of a strike by lecturers.
Teaching staff are taking part in national industrial action over the coming weeks in support of a dispute over pay.
Lecturers at the campus in Drip Road, and at the campuses in Alloa and Falkirk, are expected to walk out for the day.
It comes after members of the Educational Institute of Scotland–Further Education Lecturers’ Association (EIS-FELA) members voted to support industrial action last month.
Further strikes are planned for Tuesday, February 5, Wednesday, March 6, and Thursday, March 21.
College bosses have cancelled all classes due today after it was deemed the college was“unlikely to be able to offer a full service”.
Forth Valley College Principal, Dr Ken Thomson said:“In the best interests of our students there will be no classes on this date. Following the first day of action, we will review the situation for (the strikes planned in the future).
“As always our focus is on ensuring we continue to deliver the highest quality learning experiences for our students whilst a resolution is found for this dispute.
“The college has a robust communications plan in place which will ensure all our key stakeholders including staff and students are fully informed in regards to developments.”
The lecturers want a cost of living pay increase which keeps up with inflation and says that dispute has been ongoing since December 2017.
The Colleges Scotland Employers’Association said a‘salary harmonisation’deal to rectify pay disparities across the country from 2017-20 was agreed in May 2017 which increases lecturers’pay by a national average of nine per cent and safeguards or improves lecturers’terms and conditions. However, the union argues that the pay offer consists of a 2.5 per cent consolidated pay increase.
Colleges Scotland Chief Executive, Shona Struthers said:“Finances are extremely tight for colleges and all of the modest £18.3 million revenue increase in the Scottish Government’s 2019-20 Draft Budget is ringfenced to pay for the ‘same pay’rises already agreed, so colleges must make cuts elsewhere to pay for an additional cost of living offer.”