National strike action in Scotland’s colleges has ended after both sides in a dispute over the role of lecturers agreed a resolution.

The strike had been called by the EIS-FELA union after what it said were plans by Scotland’s college leaders to replace lecturers with lower-paid, less-qualified roles. The industrial action was briefly halted when the union said an agreement had been reached and was waiting to be ratified, but was then continued.

Yesterday, the EIS-FELA executive ratified a resolution and called on the Colleges Scotland Employers’ Association to do the same

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Background: Scottish college lecturers suspend strike action

EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said: “The EIS-FELA has ratified the outcome of negotiations with Colleges Scotland with a view to ending the dispute over the protection of the role of lecturer in Scotland’s further education colleges. We are hopeful that the employers’ side will take a similar view at its meeting on Wednesday.”

FE college strike action halted

He added that the EIS had noted increasing calls from many politicians, including first minister Nicola Sturgeon, for a negotiated agreement to be reached to end the dispute and “we believe that a solution, which protects the interests of lecturers and students, is now on the table”.

This morning, it was confirmed that the Colleges Scotland Employers’ Association had followed suit and ratified the agreement. A spokesperson said: “The Colleges Scotland Employers’ Association has unanimously ratified a resolution to the dispute as agreed with the EIS-FELA last week. We welcome the EIS-FELA’s acceptance of the resolution, and their commitment to end strike action. This is great news for students and their lecturers.”

Local action at Forth Valley College over the issue of lecturers being replaced with other teaching roles continues, the EIS union stressed.