Scotland’s college lecturers have suspended strike action for the coming week, the EIS has confirmed. The development comes after a “provisional agreement” was reached to end the long-running pay dispute crippling the sector.

In a message seen by The Herald, a local official informed members of EIS-FELA (which represents college lecturing staff) that the agreement was secured following a meeting between the union, College Employers Scotland and Scottish Government minister Graeme Dey MSP.

The notice advised that as a result of the potential deal, “and as a gesture of goodwill”, strike days planned for the rest of this week will be suspended, but Action Short of a Strike (ASOS) will continue for now.

The information was subsequently confirmed by the EIS-FELA, whose executive is expected to meet to arrange a ballot of members once a formal offer from college employers is received.

Scotland’s college sector has been affected by ongoing industrial disputes for most of the past decade, with the current issues going back to a pay claim in 2022.


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In addition to strike action, lecturers refused to enter students’ results into college systems for a second year running as part of ASOS. Some employers responded by docking staff pay at levels up to 100 percent.

However, EIS-FELA members backed continued action and delivered a refreshed mandate in a recent reballot.

The Scottish Government's Minister for Higher and Further Education, Graeme Dey MSP, had also faced criticism for refusing to intervene in the dispute.

While details of the new agreement have not yet been released, a successful conclusion would bring to an end a period of enormous disruption and hostility in Scotland's college sector.

EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley said: “EIS-FELA representatives met with representatives of Scotland’s Colleges after meeting the Minister responsible for Further Education, this morning. Significant progress was made at this meeting, with the result that EIS-FELA and the EIS have decided to suspend three days of strike action, scheduled for this week. This is intended as an act of good faith and in the interests of supporting students, and is on the understanding that an improved offer will be made formally by College Employers Scotland in the coming days.” 

“While a final settlement has yet to be reached, EIS-FELA negotiators were significantly encouraged by today’s developments and believed it appropriate to suspend this week’s strikes. Based on discussions this morning, we remain hopeful that a resolution can be struck that will finally see a fair pay settlement that will allow lecturers to return to working as normal, and to do what they do best which is supporting their students in colleges across Scotland to learn and progress.”

Ms Bradley added: “Discussions will now continue to iron out final details. Once a revised offer is formally on the table, our intention is to put this to EIS-FELA members in a ballot. Today has brought us closer to an end to this long-running dispute, and we hope that discussions will now move quickly and smoothly towards a fair agreement for all parties and a return for students to the uninterrupted, quality learning and teaching that they need and deserve.”

A College Employers Scotland spokesperson said: “We are pleased that this week’s EIS-FELA strikes have been suspended in anticipation of further progress on the current pay dispute.

“These talks will continue this week, and employers will carry on making every effort to resolve this prolonged industrial dispute for the sake of students and staff.

“Colleges will keep students updated about the industrial action scheduled for the coming weeks.”

Minister for Higher and Further Education Graeme Dey told the Herald: “We welcome the move from the EIS-FELA to suspend the current strike action and create space for further progress to be made between the Union and College Employers Scotland (CES)

“It is also heartening to see that students returning to college for the start of the academic year won’t now be met with immediate disruption.”