A TEACHING union has branded the Further Education Minister “missing in action” as anger grows at “vindictive” deductions from striking college workers.

Scotland’s college lecturers, locked in a pay dispute for a staggering three years, have hit out at college principals’ decision to cut 100 per cent of pay from workers, even when they are undertaking action short of strike.

In an effort to counter what the union brand “aggressive tactics” from employers, EIS-FELA’s executive have agreed a £5 million package of hardship support to striking members in the sector, who have gone without a pay rise during two years which have seen the highest inflation in a generation.