Lecturers to return to work at City of Glasgow College as long-running dispute over proposed job cuts ends

Lecturers will return to work at City of Glasgow College following the end of a long running dispute over proposed job cuts.

Trade union EIS-FELA have voted to accept a proposal which will mean there will not be any more compulsory redundancies at the college.

The new agreement also means that 30 lecturers who previously lost their jobs will be offered voluntary severance.

For those who wish to return to work, the college said it would offer redeployment or retraining.

The union said 86% of its members voting in the ballot backed the agreement reached between the EIS and the college.

EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley said, “This very clear ballot result brings the programme of industrial action at City of Glasgow College to an end.

“EIS-FELA members at the college are to be commended for the strong stance they have taken in defence of lecturing jobs and quality education provision at the college.

“It has been a long and difficult struggle which has taken its toll on lecturers and students alike, but it was a price worth paying to fight job and course cuts and to protect education for today’s and tomorrow’s students at the college.”

Charlie Montgomery, EIS-FELA branch convener at City of Glasgow College, added: “We are obviously delighted that this dispute has been brought to an end without the unnecessary compulsory redundancies originally demanded by the college.

“We hope, going forward, the college will recognise the need to abide by the principles of ‘Fair Work’ and no longer try to enforce upon staff, changes in their employment status, or terms and conditions without proper negotiations with recognised trade unions.

“It is to be hoped, with proper governance put in place and the adoption of a collegiate attitude, City of Glasgow College can look forward to a more stable period of industrial relations that should benefit staff and students alike.”

A City of Glasgow College spokesperson said: “As EIS-FELA acknowledged to us, the reductions in staff numbers were absolutely necessary to address the College’s considerable deficit, which resulted from external factors, especially real-term cuts in our funding.

“Although the protracted strikes and resulting boycott which affected some of our students were unnecessary and calculated to inflict maximum disruption to learning at the College, we thank EIS-FELA for eventually making so many concessions. Compromises on both sides have helped secure this agreement.

“Both sides have worked positively together, and we are pleased that this agreement brings the local industrial disputes at the College to an end. Both parties acknowledge that we need to reset our relationship for the sake of all our students and staff.

“We can now ensure that our collective energies are focussed on delivering for our students and enabling them to flourish and maximise their potential in a world-class learning environment.”