Currently, there are issues that are affecting Edinburgh College staff locally, as well as issues occurring nationally across Scotland’s Colleges.

Local Issues – Impacting Edinburgh College specifically

At the start of January 2023, Edinburgh College announced that it was running a consultation process to reduce staff numbers in certain departments. The overall aim of this was to reduce the number of Full Time Equivalent lecturer positions by 36. As a result of this process, Kevin Scally, an Events Management Lecturer, was made redundant. Lecturers' Union EIS are now running strikes to campaign to have him reemployed at Edinburgh College. You can read more about the EIS position on these strikes here.

National Issues – Impacting the whole of Scotland’s College sector

Both Lecturers and Support Staff across Scotland have voted to go on strike over a dispute about pay. You can read more about the dispute about Lecturer pay here, and the dispute about Support Staff pay here.

What action is planned and when?

Both Lecturers’ union EIS and Support Staff union Unison have voted to strike. These strikes are taking place on all campuses over the following days. You should attend your classes as per your timetable unless you are told otherwise by your lecturer or your course team:

  • Tuesday 12th September (local, EIS)
  • Wednesday 13th September (local, EIS)
  • Thursday 14th September (local, EIS)
  • Tuesday 19th September (local, EIS)
  • Wednesday 20th September (local, EIS)
  • Thursday 21st September (local, EIS)
  • Friday 22nd September (national, EIS & Unison)
  • Week beginning 25th September: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (local, EIS)
  • Week beginning 2nd October: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (local, EIS)
  • Week beginning 9th October: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (local, EIS) please note this week of strike action has now been paused. All classes will be going ahead as normal on the week beginning Monday 9th October.

In addition to the strike action, as of Tuesday 2nd May 2023, Lecturers’ union EIS have been taking “Action Short of a Strike” (ASOS). This has resulted in a resulting boycott, which means approximately 600 students from the 2022/23 academic year are currently unable to graduate.

EC Students’ Association will update this webpage as soon as further information is available. The College also has a dedicated page on strike action and ASOS here which is updated with the latest news and information. 

As EIS are re-balloting their members for further strikes and ASOS action, there is likely to be further industrial action over the coming weeks. To make sure you don't miss out on the most up to date information, make sure you check your Edinburgh College email account daily, as well as the College’s Website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

All students were sent the following e-mails:

 

What is EC Students’ Association doing about the strikes?

EC Students’ Association is run by students, for students. We represent the students at Edinburgh College and are concerned about the disruption facing everyone starting or returning to College this year. We strongly encourage both EIS and College Employers Scotland to put students first and get back round the negotiating table to find a solution as soon as possible. We have requested meetings with both Union Representatives and Senior Management, so that we can ensure the student voice is front and centre at all discussions on both sides of this dispute. Please fill out the form below to share how the strikes are impacting you, as this will help us represent students in these meetings.

As well as letting us know how you feel, you can also raise this with your MSP. You can find their details by entering your postcode on the Scottish Parliament website here. 

Above all, we want to end this dispute as quickly as possible, to minimise the stress and anxiety facing students at this pivotal time of year. We are here to answer your questions and support you through this tricky time. If you have a question that hasn't been answered, if you want some advice, or to talk about what this action means for you, please get in touch and we will do our best to help.