| University lecturers from across Scotland will this afternoon stage a demonstration in Glasgow as their programmes of strike action in pursuit of a fair pay deal continue. Members of EIS’s University Lecturers’ Association will join forces with UCU members at the Buchanan Street steps at 1230pm to send a clear message to the Scottish government and university management that university lecturers deserve a fair pay settlement. Both the EIS-ULA and the UCU are currently engaged on ongoing industrial action in universities across Scotland. Members of both unions took strike action yesterday, and are on strike today too. Pay for University lecturers has been cut, in real terms, by more than 20% over the past decade and management has again offered yet another below inflation offer of 1.8% for this year. EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said: “University lecturers were forced into this dispute by the intransigence of management, and our members will continue to stand united until a fair settlement is agreed. “Following a decade of pay decline, it is now time for universities to demonstrate that they value lecturing staff by making them a fair pay offer. Our teacher and college lecturer members have recently won improved pay deals through the EIS, and now it is time for universities to make a fair pay off to HE lecturers.” UCU Scotland official Mary Senior said: “Our members have now been on the picket lines for 13 days, demonstrating their determination to fight for fair pay, a decent pension and an end to precarious contracts. “While we are talking to the employers in both disputes, and seeing signs that they recognise the strong arguments against casualisation, university principals really need to come back with serious offers on pay and pensions to get universities back up and running properly.” |