As a Students’ Association, our primary concern is ensuring the continuous improvement of the Student Learning Experience. We, as a union, support both lecturing staff and support staff and recognise that teaching conditions are learning conditions.
There have been a number of concerns brought forward by students, and we have sought answers to these concerns, which are outlined below.
Why are staff striking?
There are currently two separate strike actions taking place, the national and the local.
National strikes are occuring over dispute regarding a national pay award. These strike days also include UNISON (support staff) members, and national strikes are occuring across the Scottish college sector, not just at our college. National strike days are occuring on the 7th and 26th of September, for both UNISON and EIS-FELA.
Local strikes are currently being undertaken by the College’s branch of EIS-FELA for a number of reasons related to internal disputes with the college regarding redundancies, semesterisation, and teaching hours.
A full list of all strike days can be found on the college FAQs here.
How will I be impacted by the strike action?
Not all classes will be disrupted by strike action, however, staff who choose to strike are not legally obligated to tell anyone in advance. Therefore, students may not find out if their classes are disrupted until the day of.
We have been advised that curriculum areas will find cover wherever they can and changes to timetables will be communicated with students as soon as possible.
We have been informed that the College buildings will remain open during these dates, with support services such as the libraries, student services, finance, and catering facilities still open for students to access.
During notified strike action, a level of student safeguarding takes place at the college. You will be given a positive attendance for any days of strike action. This not only protects students academically but allows them to show support for lecturing staff by striking alongside them if they choose to.
We are currently seeking advice on the implications for cadets/international students.
Can I still access college support during strike days?
We understand that students will be feeling the impact of striking activity.
As stated above, during strike days the college buildings will remain open, with support services available to access. Click here for information about wellbeing and learning support.
My classes are going online, how do I get digital access support?
Whilst the College buildings are open, students are welcome to come onto campus to use computer spaces.
There are short-term laptop loans available at both campuses where students can loan a laptop for up to 4 hours. This service will be available to students during strike days. For more information please see the library website.
The College’s IT Helpdesk can also be accessed remotely by students if you are having any access challenges.
What are the SA doing?
As a Students’ Association, we understand your concerns about the effect striking will have on your course and our main focus is ensuring the quality and enhancement of the Student Learning Experience.
We are listening to the students who have been contacting us with their concerns, and are gathering this information to share with both the College and staff unions, in the hopes that this feedback will support both sides with coming to a speedy resolution.
It is important to note that the Students’ Association is a third-party, and is not directly involved in any of the ongoing disputes. Both strike actions (local and national) are the result of ongoing disputes between union members and employers (the College). As a third-party, we receive only the information that both parties publish.
If I want to support the strikes, what can I do?
As a student, your voice is a very powerful tool.
We understand that students may want to contact EIS directly for information regarding their local strike action. You can access their website here.
If you are interested in supporting the national strike days (7th and 26th of September) you can also contact the support staff union, UNISON, for information. You can access their website here.
Do I have to participate in strike action?
No, strike actions should always be a personal choice.
If you do wish to participate please see question above. However, if any student feels as though they are being asked to take action that they are uncomfortable with or uncertain about, there is support available to them.
Students can use Report and Support, with the option to report anonomously. Students can also use the college complaints process if desired.
What is ASOS?
You may have heard people talking about ASOS, a marking ban, or a marking boycott since joining the college this year.
Action short of strike action (ASOS) is any action carried out by staff which creates pressure on their employer.
Some examples of this action could be:
The College’s branch of EIS-FELA is currently undertaking ASOS for a number of reasons related to internal disputes with the college. ASOS has been ongoing since March 2023, so some returing students may still be affected by this. All college EIS-FELA branches in Scotland are undertaking ASOS.
We are currently seeking updates on this.