College students across Scotland will face another day of disruption as lecturers take part in a second strike over pay.
Industrial action follows a long-running dispute over union demands for an increase in salary to reflect the rising cost of living.
A deal to harmonise pay and conditions in 2017 following a series of mergers has already led to salaries of more than £40,000 for unpromoted lecturers.
The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) argues the current deal does not take account of the full impact of inflationary pressures since then.
However, Colleges Scotland, which represents management, said the deal would take the average pay increase from nine per cent to more than 12 per cent.
Larry Flanagan, general secretary of the EIS, said: “In hope of reaching a negotiated agreement, we recently submitted an amended proposal which we believed would be likely to break the impasse.
“At the time of submitting this proposal, we also offered to suspend strike action, but sadly this offer was not taken up by Colleges Scotland.
“It is disappointing that Colleges Scotland seems content to allow further strike days happen rather than seeking to settle this dispute.”
Colleges Scotland said its employers’ association had met with the EIS on ten 10 occasions to try and reach agreement and end strike action.
John Gribben, director of employment services for the body, said finances were “extremely tight”
He said: “It is disappointing that the EIS has not suspended strike action whilst negotiations are ongoing.
“The EIS is aware that colleges are already having to make cuts to finance the additional pay offer which they have rejected.
“Their unreasonable pay demands would mean fewer courses, fewer students, and fewer lecturing jobs.
Mr Gribben said any deal had to be “affordable and sustainable” for the sector.
He added: “Despite considerable increases in pay and improvements in terms and conditions, this still isn’t enough for the EIS.
“It remains within the gift of the union to suspend strike action and end this unnecessary strike.”
Colleges have said buildings will stay open with students able to access libraries and their computers. However, no teaching will take place.
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