The trade unions representing the thousands of staff in Scotland’s colleges, today warmly welcomed the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning’s proposals to take a collaborative look at pay in the college sector.
Attending a meeting at the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), the three main trade unions representing college staff - the Educational Institute of Scotland, UNISON and Unite - all agreed that a national approach to pay will address inequalities between colleges, and ensure fairness for all staff in the sector.
Over 21,500* people work in Scotland’s colleges, but with separate bargaining arrangements in the 41 colleges, levels of pay for lecturers and support staff vary considerably between colleges.
Speaking after the meeting, STUC Assistant Secretary Mary Senior said:
“Trade unions are very clear that it is unfair for a lecturer in one college to be paid a different rate to a lecturer in another college, when they are both doing exactly the same job. Likewise it does not makes sense that a cleaner in one college earns more than an cleaner in another. This is about fairness and equality of opportunity, and the STUC is absolutely delighted that the Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hyslop is asking all stakeholders in the sector to have a look at this issue.
“Scotland’s colleges provide a vital public service, delivering skills, education and training to students young and old. The STUC’s affiliates are united in their desire to campaign to introduce a national system of pay which is fair for all of the staff delivering this essential public service. We are letting the Cabinet Secretary know today that we are fully behind her approach, and that we look forward to engaging with other stakeholders to persuade them of the case for a national pay system”.
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For further information
Mary Senior 0141 337 8100