'Rogue employers': Row as unions hit back at comments from employers' organisation

GMB Scotland has now urged the Scottish government to intervene after accusing the colleges of spending thousands of pounds on attempts to block the union from representing staff.

The call comes after Callum Chomczuk, director of College Employers Scotland (CES), blamed the “aggression and disrespect” of unions for industrial unrest in the sector.

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Keir Greenaway, GMB Scotland senior organiser, said the comments were “inflammatory and hypocritical” given recent legal challenges mounted by Edinburgh and Forth Valley colleges.

Mr Greenaway said the colleges were “defending the indefensible” while accusing them of flouting the Scottish Government’s FairWork guidelines, which aim to protect workers’ rights in the public sector.

“The substantial sums of public money spent by colleges to try to stop our union effectively representing our members are an absolute contravention of Fair Work and a direct contradiction of Mr Chomzuk’s comments,” Mr Greenaway added.

The union has written to Ben Macpherson, minister for further education, claiming the actions of Edinburgh College and Forth Valley College contravenes Fair Work guidelines intended to protect workers’ rights in the public sector.

Colleges, and any organisation receiving public money, must demonstrate their commitment to Fair Work.

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However, GMB said, Edinburgh College hired lawyers to oppose the release of information needed for the union to effectively represent members in collective bargaining negotiations.

After a hearing, the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) said the information should be released to the union.

Mr Greenaway added that the challenge was “unnecessary, doomed to fail and a waste of public money”.

An Edinburgh College spokesman said: “As is common among many public sector bodies, Edinburgh College consults with lawyers to help navigate legal processes.”

Forth Valley College has also come under fire from the union after GMB Scotland suggested the college has plans to spend more than £10,000 trying to stop its representatives attending the health and safety committee ahead of a forthcoming employment tribunal.

Forth Valley College was contacted for comment but did not respond.

In his letter, Mr Greenaway tells Mr Macpherson: “This is the behaviour of rogue employers.

“It should have no place in Scotland’s public sector.”

The union has now called on the minister to intervene claiming public funds should not be used to pursue anti-trade union strategies.

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It claims that such actions undermine the “social contract of Fair Work” that underpins public funding arrangements in Scotland’s college sector.

Industrial disputes concerning pay and conditions have occurred across the college sector annually for almost 10 years with discussions reportedly highly fraught.

Speaking exclusively to The Scotsman, CES boss Mr Chomzuk has made it clear he hoped recent changes would mean employers and unions could move forward in a more positive way.

The colleges leader said union negotiations have resulted in tangible improvements for sector staff, such as increased pay, a menopause policy and a disciplinary policy.

A College Employers Scotland spokesman said: “Scotland’s colleges are proud Fair Work employers, working in partnership with trade unions to ensure staff are supported and have a meaningful voice in the workplace.

“This commitment is reflected in colleges implementing the annually increased Real Living Wage months ahead of the national deadline, and in providing more than £1 million in 2024/25 to enable trade unions to represent and consult with staff effectively.

“Colleges remain committed to constructive engagement that delivers for staff, students and the wider communities we serve.”