UNISON and Scottish FE employers to talk at Acas

Further education committee agrees to talks, but further strikes remain a possibility

UNISON Scotland will hold  talks with further education employers at Acas next Thursday ( 27 October‚ in a bid to resolve pay dispute that has already seen two days of strike action this autumn.

The dispute arose when college bosses awarded lecturing staff a flat rate rise of £450, while most low-paid support staff were offered £230 – almost half that awarded to their teaching colleagues.

“The campaign for a fair and decent pay rise in 2016 is not over,” said UNISON regional manager John Gallacher.

“Fresh dates for strike action are being considered for later this term. We will be keeping up the campaigning locally to make these dates as, or more, effective than the two previous successful strike days.”

Meanwhile, support from students’ associations, the NUS and politicians is growing, and UNISON members are continuing to take  action short of strike.