Pay offer could put UHI Moray jobs at risk as union brands offer "unacceptable"
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LECTURERS and support staff from UHI Moray who took to the picket lines in Elgin yesterday (September 13) have labelled a recent pay offer "unacceptable".
A programme of rolling strike action has been taking place across Scotland in a dispute over pay and job security.
The action will continue until September 26 but EIS FELA union members have already been balloted regarding further strikes.
The latest offer, which College Employers Scotland say is its "full and final" offer, is conditional on accepting compulsory redundancies.
Unions say accepting the offer could result in 400 lecturers being made redundant.
While it is understood that there are no plans to make redundancies at UHI Moray, lecturers claim it has not been fully ruled out as a "last resort".
Catriona McBain, EIS branch secretary for Moray College UHI, says any offer that comes with the condition of compulsory redundancies cannot be accepted.
She said: "We were offered 3.3 per cent for this year, which is below the public sector average, and that's on the condition that we accept 400 redundancies to fund it.
"No union is ever going to agree to a deal like that.
"David Patterson (UHI Moray principal) said there are no current plans for compulsory redundancies but he also said that he wouldn't rule it out as a last resort.
"We've now had two days of strikes here in Moray. The atmosphere is terrible. It's anger really.
"I'm 65 now and I'm in my last year as a college lecturer but I've never seen anything like this in my life."
While there is no indication that redundancies will be made at the college, protesters say a system known as strategic opportunism, whereby departing staff members are not replaced, is leaving colleges "stretched and overworked".
Alistair Fowlie, EIS branch convenor for Moray College UHI, said: "It leaves everybody in a position where they're overworked with unsustainable work loads.
"That adds pressure to what's going on so the current situation is not solely about us saying we're not accepting the current pay offer. It's much wider than that.
"It's been quite a long standing issue and the only reason that we're out on strike now is because there has been no movement on the current situation for the last 6 months."
Protesters have also raised concerns over funding for colleges, claiming that they are now at "breaking point" with courses across the country being cut.
Ms McBain added: "Underfunding is leading to all the problems that we're seeing now.
"It's gone on for years but it's got to crisis point now. Audit Scotland said that the sector has actually shrunk by 8.5 per cent and that the future is unsustainable.
"If we don't get funding then colleges across the country, including Moray, are going to be in a position where redundancies are being made and more courses are cut.
"Once you cut credits and courses, you cut teaching staff. That cuts opportunities for students."
UHI Moray have been approached for comment.
