STAFF at UHI Argyll are set to go on strike tomorrow as their union hits out at Scotland's education minister for not stepping in.

There will be a national day of action on September 7 with more than 2,000 workers walking out in a dispute over pay, terms and conditions.

The Unison union condemned the education minister for not stepping in to avert the strike. They said they wrote to Graeme Dey after he ruled out any more Scottish Government funding. And he wouldn't rule out compulsory redundancies.

UHI Argyll will also walk out on September 19. West College Scotland is on strike on September 18 and City of Glasgow College on the 26th.

John Mooney, Unison Scotland head of further education, said: “This just shows how completely out of touch the minister is.

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“Rather than dealing with the critical issue of sorting out a long-overdue pay deal for our hardworking further education staff, he completely refuses to intervene to protect jobs and avert strike action.

"He also fails to rule out compulsory redundancies across Scotland’s colleges – leaving Scotland’s colleges the only public service that is not covered by the no-compulsory redundancies policy.

“The last thing our members want to do is take strike action, but they have been left with no choice as each pay offer comes with the very real threat of compulsory redundancies.

“If the minister is serious about wanting to avoid disruption to students then he should start by valuing the people who deliver the vital services Scotland’s students rely upon and work with Unison to ensure workers get the fair pay and conditions they deserve.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “While operational decisions on pay and staffing matters are the responsibility of individual colleges, the Scottish Government remains concerned by the impact this current action is having on students.

“We expect employers and trade unions to make every effort to reach a settlement which is both fair and affordable with a view of bringing this industrial action to a close.

“The Scottish Government recognises the crucial role that colleges play, which is why we have allocated £787 million in funding for 2023-24, despite the unprecedented financial challenges facing government. The college sector’s resource budget has been increased by over £168 million since 2012-13.”