FIFE College and the Scottish Government have been told to "stop fighting" with lecturers over pay and conditions.

Neale Hanvey, who will stand to regain his seat as Alba candidate for the Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath at the forthcoming election, has written to principal Jim Metcalfe and education secretary Graeme Dey slamming the current "deeming" of staff over industrial action.

As reported by the Press last month, the college warned that it would not pay staff – known as deeming – if they took part in action short of strike action.

 The EIS FELA branch at the college revealed that their members who refuse to enter student results, a task that typically takes five to 15 minutes, were being threatened with indefinite 100 per cent pay deductions.

After a visit to the college, Mr Hanvey said he gave a commitment to workers that he would request that the bosses "desist" from the threat.

READ MORE: Fife College under fire after staff warned over boycott

"I applaud the EIS commitment to provide £5m to mitigate the financial hardship that is being inflicted on their members because of the current impasse on a decent pay offer and the continued failure of the Scottish Government to intervene and draw the dispute to a resolution," he said.

"It's time Fife College and the Scottish Government stopped fighting with lecturers on pay and conditions and high time to put your collective efforts into fighting for their pay and conditions."

Last month, Fife College said they were hoping for a resolution to the row.

A spokesperson said: “We respect our colleagues’ right to strike and continue to hope for a timely resolution to this national dispute.

“As part of the ongoing dispute last year, some colleagues chose to not record student grades on the college system. This was very disruptive to many students and was – and continues to be – a breach of contract.

“In order for students to be able to move ahead with their future work and study ambitions, and in a decision we have not taken lightly, colleagues who decide not to record grades in this way will have their pay deducted.

“We will be in regular contact with staff and students throughout this difficult period for colleges across the country.”