New pay offer welcomed by lecturers

A new pay offer for college lecturers has been hailed as a “major victory'' by trade-union chiefs.

The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) has now recommended its members accept the offer from Colleges Scotland.

Lecturers had gone on strike for one day earlier in March as a result of the dispute, with more planned if an agreement was not met.

A breakthrough was made after 12 hours of negotiations, and the EIS’s Further Education Lecturers’ Association (FELA) now recommend its members accept the deal.

The dispute stemmed from union complaints that there was a disparity between wages across different colleges for people doing the same jobs.

The two-year deal, which will go out to a ballot of EIS members, will see staff given either 1% of their salary or £300, whichever is greater.

They will also receive a further payment of £100 in April.

In 2016-17 there will be a flat-rate pay rise of £450 and the colleges and the union will work to lay the foundations for a harmonised workforce in years to come.

EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said: “EIS-FELA members have achieved a major victory in the campaign for fair pay and equal pay in all colleges.

“Last week, colleges were issuing statements and writing to newspapers claiming that they could not afford to offer a better deal and that the EIS pay claim was unrealistic.

“Now, after one day of co-ordinated strike action by college lecturers and one day of face-to-face negotiations, we have a greatly-improved offer which addresses each of the priorities set by the EIS.

“Our EIS-FELA members should take great pride in what they have achieved and I would urge every member to use their vote in the forthcoming ballot and to vote to accept the new pay offer.''

Shona Struthers, Chief Executive of Colleges Scotland, said: We hope that all the staff will accept this improved offer and that together we can work towards a modernised workforce that will deliver the best possible experience for students.''

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