Exclusive:Colleges boss claims union disputes have been marred by 'aggression and disrespect'
There are hopes collective bargaining between colleges and employers will ‘enter a new era’ of positive relations
The head of Scotland’s colleges has claimed student experience has been marred by the “aggression and disrespect” of unions.
Industrial disputes across the college sector have occurred annually for almost 10 years with pay and condition talks often hitting deadlock.
Callum Chomczuk, Director of College Employers Scotland (CES), has expressed his hope better relationships can develop between employers and staff.
On the approach of the tenth anniversary of the introduction of national collective bargaining, Mr Chomczuk said: “Pay-and-conditions talks have frequently stalled in dispute and deadlock, often leading to industrial unrest.
“The result? Disruption to learning – sometimes at the most critical points in the academic calendar.”
Referring to the Strathesk Report into collective bargaining in colleges, he added: “Particularly damaging, however, has been the erosion of trust caused by aggression and disrespect during talks – contributing to what Strathesk called a “cycle of negative expectation”.
“Such a pattern anticipates breakdowns in pay negotiations, industrial action ballots, probable industrial action (including strikes), and eventual settlements requiring government intervention.”
The colleges leader said union negotiations have resulted in tangible improvements for sector staff, such as increased pay, a menopause policy and a disciplinary policy.
However, he added, the process has “not always been smooth” and was “stuck in another era”.
Strathesk Resolutions, which was commissioned by the Scottish Government in 2021 to review collective bargaining, found “frequent acrimonious exchanges during negotiations”.
Privately, college principals have said negotiations can become fraught with the tone of debate descending into personal attacks.
Mr Chomczuk said improvements came following personnel and structural change at Unison, the sector’s largest union.
Unison Scotland's lead organiser for college staff, Janet Stewart, said relations have improved in recent years.
Ms Stewart said: “Unison is laser focussed on improving the student experience and ensuring college staff have the resources they need to support them.
“Unison has helped to foster positive industrial relations and there's no doubt they have improved over the last few years.
“Recent changes to negotiating structures have helped enormously, and staff and students are benefiting.”
There is now a revised National Recognition and Procedures Agreement (NRPA), resetting the framework for negotiations in the college sector.
It marks the first reform of collective bargaining arrangements since their introduction.
The CES head said the new agreement should “curb toxic behaviours” and make talks more “more focused, efficient, and effective”.
There have also been structural changes, including the end of the Central Committee for collective bargaining.
This has been replaced by two independent, joint committees which will handle negotiations separately for lecturers and professional services staff.
Andrea Bradley, EIS General Secretary, said: ”EIS-FELA has always supported and remains fully committed to the national bargaining forum; indeed, the structures were created over a decade ago after lobbying and campaigning by our members.
“EIS-FELA will continue to encourage constructive negotiations through the new NRPA structures and will continue to advocate as robustly in the interests of EIS-FELA members as is required.”
Mr Chomczuk added: “At the heart of these reforms is a shared understanding that, beyond their obligations to staff and members, employers and trade unions have a fundamental duty to work together for the benefit of learners – especially as colleges strive to become the skills engines fuelling economic growth. “
He said there has already been “significant improvement” in industrial relations.
“After years of turbulence, Scotland’s colleges may finally have turned a corner,” Mr Chomczuk added.
“If collective bargaining reform delivers as promised, staff can focus on maximising quality in teaching and learning – and the cycle of strikes and stalemates could become a thing of the past.”
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