Staff in Fife College are set to join colleagues across the country by taking strike again in 2024 after voting for more action in a long running dispute over pay, job security and pay harmonisation.

This latest announcement comes after months of action by support staff in colleges this year.

UNISON re-balloted its members working in colleges after the union said that college employers failed to properly negotiate with them to reach a settlement.

The union represents employees who are vital to college services and student support. They include librarians, IT specialists, technicians, administrative and business support staff, cleaners, canteen workers and estate management staff.

Chris Greenshields, UNISON Scotland further education branch secretary, said: “College staff are facing a second Christmas in real financial hardship. Our members have been waiting 16 months for a pay rise in line with inflation, free from the ongoing threats to their jobs.

“UNISON is calling for employers to release last year’s pay rise to college staff immediately to alleviate hardship this winter and given the unforgiveable length of time this is taking."

The union is also calling for Scottish Government minister to join talks with unions and the employers to bring this dispute to end.