Staff at the City of Glasgow College joined national strikes after claiming proposed cuts would see lecturers' workload increase.

Lecturers stood outside the city centre campus today following a proposal from the college that would mean there would be cuts and compulsory redundancies for staff.

It is claimed the cuts proposed would see lecturers' time in the classroom reduced, meaning that they would have less contact time with students, but have more classes added onto their timetable.

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Glasgow Times:

Whilst EIS-FELA, a self-governing body within the EIS open to all College Lecturers in Scotland, are on strike nationally in pursuit of a fair pay settlement from Colleges Scotland, members at City of Glasgow College are entering another four weeks of strike action in their local dispute.

Sarah Collis, Area officer, said: "There has been no resolution put forward by management and they are intransigent they need to make these cuts.

"The cuts relate to a cut in contact time with students meaning they will have less time in front of their lecture but the lecturer would have more classes added onto their timetables. Increasing workload.

"Fixed-term contracts have also been ended, and now we are looking at a situation where compulsory redundancies are being suggested.

"It will be the first time in further education's history since 2015 that compulsory redundancies have been introduced."

Glasgow Times:

Sarah also adds that EIS-FELA put forward proposals that they felt would suit all parties but according to her, they were "ridiculed" by the management. 

The area officer has also called on the college to get their spending priorities in order. 

Picket lines will be in operation from at City campus, Cathedral Street and Riverside campus, Thistle Street, on the following dates: 

  • Friday: 8 September
  • Monday, 11 September
  • Tuesday, 12 September
  • Wednesday, 13 September
  • Thursday, 14 September
  • Tuesday, 19 September
  • Wednesday, 20 September
  • Thursday, 21 September
  • Tuesday, 26 September 
  • Wednesday, 27 September
  • Thursday, 28 September
  • Friday, 29 September 

Glasgow City College has responded to the claims put forward to them by stating that they are facing "substantial funding and financial challenges" due to inflation as well as high energy and staff costs leaving them with " no option" in terms of bringing forward proposals for compulsory redundancies.

The college further stated: "The majority of our lecturers have been putting students first by continuing to work, which is minimising the disruption to students, and the college remains open throughout the strike action."