Union warns members are being 'blocked' from college talks

The Herald Scotland

11-06-2025

GMB's senior organiser for public services, Keir Greenaway, has recently written to Colleges Scotland about concerns over the union's treatment in the sector.
In a letter to the new Colleges Scotland chief executive officer, Gavin Donoghue, Mr Greenaway said that potentially cutting access to facility time–paid time off during working hours for union representatives to carry out union duties–would damage sector relations at a crucial period.
"As it currently stands, not only are trade union rights under Fair Work and the national recognition agreement under threat, but our reps' statutory rights are also being broken.
"CES (College Employers Scotland) have issued guidance which colleges are using at a local level to prevent reps from exercising their trade union duties – a right our reps hold under law.
"It has also been proposed that national facility time be cut by 91% which prevents trade unions from being able to meaningfully consult and engage our members."
Mr Greenaway also referred to potential changes in national bargaining structure for support staff and GMB's limited role in discussions.
Currently, national bargaining in the college sector occurs at the National Joint Negotiation Committee (NJNC), with two side tables in place to negotiate for support and lecturing staff.
The support staff side table has five seats: Unison holds three, while Unite and GMB hold one each.
In March, Unison and Unite submitted notice that they wished to leave the current side table setup and establish a new negotiation structure involving only support staff.
GMB has not asked to leave the current structure, so it is not part of discussions about a new bargaining structure, Mr Greenaway said.
"Reps being able to exercise their rights and duties unimpeded is vital given the discussions which are ongoing on a new national agreement.
"Regretfully, GMB Scotland has been blocked from these talks, which will directly affect our members, without us first agreeing to withdraw from the existing agreement.
"This is an unreasonable request which requires us to tear up the existing agreement in place of one that is yet to even be negotiated.
"It is difficult for our members to see these steps by their employers as anything other than an attack on their right to work collectively.
"Without progress in upholding those rights under the law and Fair Work, then it is likely to lead to a review of college funding by the Scottish Funding Council."
He called on Mr Donoghue, who became Colleges Scotland's CEO at the start of June after leaving his previous position as director of CES, to reset relations and "respect" GMB's place at the table.
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In a statement from CES and Colleges Scotland, a spokesperson said that although CES, Unite and Unison have begun discussions about a possible new setup, the three parties have agreed that GMB should not be part of these talks until the union submits a similar notice.
'Scotland's colleges are committed to embedding Fair Work principles and have taken forward a range of measures to ensure wellbeing, respect and opportunity for staff. These include a pioneering National Menopause Policy, accelerated payment of the annual Real Living Wage increase, a new national Disciplinary Policy, and moves to support the provision of flexible working hours.
'UNISON and Unite notified employers of their intention to resign from the current national collective bargaining agreement in March, requesting that talks begin on developing a new agreement to cover college support staff only. CES is working constructively with UNISON and Unite to take this request forward but, as the GMB has chosen not to resign from the current collective bargaining agreement, it is the collective position of UNISON, Unite and CES that GMB will not be part of these talks.
'Effective and constructive partnership working with trade unions is essential to progressing the Fair Work agenda at colleges. CES will continue to work closely with our trade unions partners - college staff are critical to delivering education and training to learners across Scotland.'