College lecturers urged to accept pay deal to end strikes

He said: “We urge EIS-FELA members to accept this substantial pay offer if it is put to them in a formal ballot. This would allow colleges to get back to providing the world-class educational experience our students deserve.

“Employers have also requested the trade union cancel all industrial action while the pay ballot takes place, so that students do not continue to suffer any further disruption to their learning.”

The union said that while planned strike action was still suspended, the programme of action short of strike remains in place.

Higher and further education minister Graeme Dey said welcomed the new pay offer “after significant efforts on both sides to break the impasse and find a resolution to this dispute”.

“This agreement would represent a strong package for college staff, despite the pressures on public finances, and I would hope that union members will accept this deal,” he said.

“I have sought to engage with both the employers and the union throughout this process and this week agreed that provision will be made in the 2025/26 college budget allocations for an additional £4.5m to support the cost of this pay deal.

“I know all sides want to minimise disruption to students who have now returned for the start of the new academic term and that’s why it’s so pivotal that this dispute is settled.”