College lecturers go on strike for a fourth time as dispute heats up

College lecturers have taken part in a fourth day of strike action in a long-running dispute over pay.

Members of the Educational Institute of Scotland – Further Education Lecturers’ Association (EIS-FELA) are demanding what they describe as a fair cost of living increase in line with public sector pay policy.

The union has rejected what it says is a 2 per cent increase offer over three years and accused employers’ association Colleges Scotland of seeking to tear-up existing commitments on lecturers’ working conditions. Members walked out yesterday for the fourth time this year, after staging three other one-day strikes since 16 January.

The move comes after delegates at the EIS-FELA annual general meeting recently passed a no-confidence vote in Colleges Scotland.

EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said: “EIS-FELA members have stood strong and united throughout this strike while Colleges Scotland has shown it is unwilling to engage in meaningful negotiations.

“It is especially disappointing that Colleges Scotland failed to accept the EIS offer to suspend strike action earlier this month and again this week.

“This decision led to a new ballot, which may further escalate this dispute.”

Mr Flanagan also called for Scottish ministers to step in to facilitate a negotiated agreement.

On Wednesday, college chiefs wrote directly to lecturers urging them to reconsider further strike action.

The Colleges Scotland Employers’ Association urged them to consider whether the “endless cycle of strikes” was in their best interests.