INDUSTRIAL unrest is looming in Scotland's college sector after long-running negotiations over pay.
The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) lecturers union has lodged a dispute with college employers over the issue.
In a letter to the management side of the National Joint Negotiating Committee, the EIS said industrial action was now a possibility after seven months of negotiations "without a reasonable pay offer".
Larry Flanagan, EIS general secretary, said: "We do not enter into any dispute lightly, but it is necessary since lecturers, like all other public sector employees, deserve a pay rise and a fair one at that.
"Lecturers have felt the brunt of the Government's funding cuts and it is unacceptable for them to have their pay frozen. It is now time for the Scottish Government to intervene to ensure a fair pay award for Scotland's lecturers."
Shona Struthers, chief executive of Colleges Scotland, said the college sector was "resolutely committed" to re-introducing national bargaining and would work with the trade unions to resolve any disputes.
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