Scotland editor

MORE than 200 union members at a further education college in Scotland have begun strike action in another escalation of a dispute over a downgrading of lecturers’ jobs.

Members of the Educational Institute of Scotland’s Further Education Lecturers’ Association (EIS-FELA) began an 18-day stoppage at Forth Valley College today in response to long-standing concerns about the status of 30 posts. 

Staff at campuses in Falkirk, Alloa and Stirling will strike on 18 days over three months, with the union having been in talks with college bosses on the issue since last March. 

The changes include lecturers’ jobs being replaced by roles for support staff across departments including hairdressing, construction, engineering and care. 

The new posts are lower paid and do not require a teaching qualification. The EIS says that members are being asked to do the same job, but with much lower pay, less annual leave and no limit to class contact time. 

EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said: “We are very concerned about the removal of the role of qualified and experienced lecturers in Scottish further education. 

“We won’t accept that for our members and we won’t accept it for students.”

Scottish TUC general secretary Roz Foyer called on the trade union movement to show support for the strikers. 

The industrial action follows the postponement of national strikes by EIS-FELA that were due to begin this week over downgrading and job cuts. 

Branch convenor Anne-Marie Harley said: “It is unforgivable that we’ve had to deal with this during a global pandemic on top of everything else. 

“We know our students and we want what’s best for them – that’s qualified and experienced lecturers.”

College principal Dr Ken Thomson said that while the “expertise and professionalism” of lecturers was never questioned, the role changes would not be reversed.