THE lecturers dispute at Ayrshire College’s Kilwinning campuses is set to continue after college bosses rejected a union offer to go to arbitration.

Strikes over working conditions were suspended last week following negotiations which saw a revised proposal put forward by college management, and recommended by union negotiators, to accommodate increased flexibility in timetables.

However, members of the lecturers’ union Educational Institute of Scotland Further Education Lecturers’ Association (EIS-FELA) rejected the offer by 55 per cent to 45 per cent.

Following the ballot result, the union offered to take the dispute to the arbitration body ACAS.

Commenting on the move, EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said: “It is clear that lecturers at Ayrshire College remain unconvinced by the latest proposal from college management on their working conditions.

“It is also clear that there is little prospect of significant progress through further discussions with the college management.” “EIS-FELA negotiators have today extended an offer to college management to enter into ACAS arbitration to seek a resolution to the dispute.

“The EIS has also offered to suspend all planned industrial action, pending a decision by ACAS.

"We are taking this step today in the hope of reaching a fair agreement, which will allow all lecturers to return to their normal, agreed working patterns.” But within a matter of hours the union’s offer was rejected by college management.

The college’s response was condemned by the EIS.

Larry Flanagan said: “It is extremely disappointing that the management of Ayrshire College have flatly rejected the offer of ACAS arbitration to resolve this dispute.

"At every stage, the EIS has attempted to negotiate in good faith to facilitate a fair and workable agreement.

“Sadly, the intransigence of the college has made the process extremely difficult with the result that the programme of industrial action has been reinstated and will continue from tomorrow.

“Had the college accepted a very reasonable offer of ACAS arbitration, further strike action could have been averted.” Industrial action at the college resumed yesterday and continued today.

In the ballot, 77 papers were issued of which 46 were returned – a response of 61 per cent. Twenty-six members voted to reject the proposal with 21 voting to accept.

Heather Dunk, Principal and Chief Executive at the college said: “We are extremely disappointed at this decision which completely disregards the unanimous recommendation of negotiators from the EIS-FELA.

Further negotiations are expected to be held this week.