As lecturers across Scotland take national industrial action to secure fair pay and protect jobs, lecturers at two colleges are also engaged in local action to defend jobs.

At City of Glasgow College, EIS-FELA members are continuing strike action in a dispute over cuts to teaching time, increases in workload, the ending of fixed term contracts and compulsory redundancies.

Commenting, Charlie Montgomery, EIS-FELA branch convener at City of Glasgow College, said, “We face a significant challenge in attempting to have any meaningful negotiations with senior management at City of Glasgow College.

“We have highlighted to politicians that senior management at the college have chosen spending priorities which include putting international partnerships (and fees) ahead of the needs of vulnerable students from our local communities. City of Glasgow College has a high number of students from areas of multiple deprivation, yet access courses, learning support lecturers and vocational learning around trades are being targeted for cuts. Ultimately, for us, this is a dispute about Fair Work and protecting FE as a public good.”

At City of Edinburgh College, the dispute centres around a consultation process that led to a sole member of lecturing staff – who just so happened to be the EIS-FELA branch Health and Safety Rep – being made redundant.

The EIS-FELA branch has rallied around their colleague, Kevin Scally, and are mounting a significant industrial action campaign calling for his reinstatement. The branch is being supported by the EIS national body, with EIS Council members sending a strong message of solidarity at their most recent meeting.