College staff could strike over pay row

West Lothian College workers could be about to take strike action following a“derisory”pay offer.

College staff 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, which includes staff from the college.

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

UNISON’s four-week ballot closed on Thursday).

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

The union says it expects college staff will start strike action before the summer, disrupting preparations for the next academic year.

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 have voted overwhelmingly for strike action. They’re 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.

“It’s over seven months since pay rises should have been in staff wage packets and the employers seem clueless about how to avoid yet another crisis in the sector.

“The Scottish government should stop sitting on its hands and sort out this mess.

“Taking strike action and disrupting plans for the new year is the last thing UNISON members want. But they have no choice.”