COLLEGE Strike Suspended

Monday, 30 January 2012 |

STRIKE action at James Watt College has been suspended for the next fortnight while lecturers vote on management’s latest offer.

Walk outs due to go ahead from tomorrow (Tuesday 31 January) have been called off while the latest offer from management is under consideration, the college said.

After four meetings involving the management team, lecturers’ union EIS-FELA and conciliation service ACAS, an offer was put forward on Friday, which trade union members will be balloted on. This postal ballot is scheduled to take place over the course of the next two weeks.

College principal Sue Pinder said: “I am delighted at the suspension of the industrial action and encourage members of EIS-FELA employed at James Watt College to accept the offer on the table.

“Management has made a series of reasonable offers over the past three weeks and believes this is the fairest course of action to resolve the current dispute.

“Resuming business as usual is a huge relief, not least for our students, who will continue to get the strongest support available as they pursue their various qualifications at our four campuses in Inverclyde and North Ayrshire.”

The college said that any missed classes are being rescheduled and students with specific issues are encouraged to discuss these with lecturers, curriculum managers or a member of the management team.

The dispute is over changes resulting from re-structuring following cuts in funding.