Strike at Forth Valley College

Workers at Forth Valley College are to strike in a dispute over pay.

Members of the EIS, UNISON and Unite trade unions are walking out today.

It means no classes will run at the Stirling, Alloa or Falkirk campuses.

Members of the EIS union are also staging a rally outside the Scottish Parliament this morning.

Trade union UNISON wrote to further education minister Graeme Dey, who has ruled out any Scottish government funding to resolve the dispute. He also did not rule out compulsory redundancies.

John Mooney, UNISON Scotland head of further education, said: “This just shows how completely out of touch the minister is.

“Rather than dealing with the critical issue of sorting out a long-overdue pay deal for our hardworking further education staff, he completely refuses to intervene to protect jobs and avert strike action. He also fails to rule out compulsory redundancies across Scotland’s colleges – leaving Scotland’s colleges the only public service that is not covered by the no-compulsory redundancies policy.

“The last thing our members want to do is take strike action, but they have been left with no choice as each pay offer comes with the very real threat of compulsory redundancies.

“If the minister is serious about wanting to avoid disruption to students then he should start by valuing the people who deliver the vital services Scotland’s students rely upon and work with UNISON to ensure workers get the fair pay and conditions they deserve.”