College students face cancelled classes as a result of strike

STUDENTS at UHI Shetland are facing a day of disruption tomorrow (Wednesday) due a national lecturers’ strike.

The college said many day and evening classes will be affected by the EIS-FELA action.

“Unless advised otherwise by your lecturer, all scheduled remote or in person classes will be cancelled on Wednesday 20th April,” it said in an update on Tuesday.

The college will remain open, and the library will be open with staff available at the Lerwick Campus between 9am and 7pm and at the Scalloway campus between 9am and 5pm.

Student support services will be available both remotely and on campus.

UHI Shetland said to students: “We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience that this disruption may cause.”

The strike action is a result of a dispute over pay for lecturers across Scotland.

The trade union is taking its members out on 14 days of discontinuous strike action in pursuit of a pay award that recognises their efforts during the Covid pandemic.

College Employers Scotland director Gavin Donoghue said it was “disappointing” that union members chose to strike, adding: “Our door remains open if the EIS-FELA negotiators wish to meet to discuss any practical, deliverable and affordable plans to end this disruptive and unnecessary dispute.”