Striking UHI Inverness staff joined by Highlands and Islands MSP on picket line
Trade union members staged a protest at the UHI Inverness campus today in an ongoing national dispute over pay and job security.
Today's action involved members of EIS-Further Education Lecturers Association (FELA) and Unison which represents college staff such as librarians, IT specialists, technicians, administrative and business support staff, cleaners, canteen workers and estate management staff.
The campus remained open and the majority of staff provided teaching and support as usual although supported education classes were cancelled.
Unison will stage another strike in Inverness on October 6.
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Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant joined today's picket line in Inverness.
"In the current cost of living crisis, public sector workers should receive a fair pay deal that does not result in job cuts for their colleagues," she said.
"Therefore I wanted to show my support for those facing this situation.
"The Scottish Government holds the purse strings and must intervene to allow a fair settlement to a pay claim that was due a year ago.
"My heart goes out to those who are left with no alternative than to strike, and forgo their salary, in order to make their point. I also feel for students whose courses are disrupted.
"It is vital that a deal is reached where college and university staff feel valued and are paid fairly."
A spokesperson for UHI Inverness said the university had been informed that EIS-Fela and Unison members intended to hold strike action today as part of an ongoing national dispute affecting colleges across Scotland.
"Students were informed, our campuses remained open, and the majority of staff provided teaching and support as usual," the spokesperson said.
"Our supported education classes were cancelled as a precautionary measure due to the specialist needs of those students.
"Talks are continuing, and we hope this national dispute can be resolved between the unions and College Employers Scotland as quickly as possible."
Today's strike in Inverness is part of a rolling programme of localised action by Unison members in colleges across Scotland and follows a national strike day earlier this month.
Unison further education branch secretary Chris Greenshields warned the dispute could go on until 2024.
"We are heading for the worst year for industrial unrest in the sector in living memory, if we are not there already," he said.
"Three unions and thousands of college staff have already taken action to defend their right to a pay rise free from threat with more strike days to follow."
