Chaos deepens at Ayr College

Apr 3 2009 by Stuart Wilson

STUDENTS at crisis-hit Ayr College face lessons from strangers.

Principal Diane Rawlinson is drafting in part-time lecturers to plug the gaps left by striking staff.

The college wage war, which has entered week three, is threatening to cause chaos ahead of exams.

Mrs Rawlinson had employed a number of emergency measures to combat the strike – which extends to three days per week after Easter.

Many classes are being doubled up, leaving students with not enough computers to use in labs.

And staff say that problem is just the tip of the iceberg.

One lecturer revealed: “The students are being treated with total contempt and having their timetables re-arranged.

“But many have jobs or childcare arrangements to fit around their normal timetable, so it’s just not feasible.

“These strike-breaking tactics should be deplored. Presenting our students with a different timetable at this stage of the year will cause chaos.

“It’s nothing but a smokescreen to hide the reality of the situation.”

The union EIS are continuing to urge Mrs Rawlinson into negotiating over pay.

Spokesperson Evelyn Kelly revealed: “Our stance is the same as before – we want to negotiate.

“However, Diane Rawlinson is refusing point blank to get round the table and that’s making it very difficult for this dispute to be resolved.”

Mrs Rawlinson insists she’s acting with her students’ best interests at heart.

She said: “My priority is to ensure that all measures are taken to minimise disruption to students during the planned strike action and to see that this issue is resolved swiftly.

“Arrangements have been made to ensure maximum class cover for students during the next few months; this has been done with the students’ best interests at heart as we collectively fulfil our commitment to our students’ futures.

“College management has moved from an initial 2.5 per cent pay offer to 4.2 per cent, with a further 2.5 per cent from August 2009, and has had to draw the line regarding further negotiations.

“Ayrshire has been hit hard by the current recession and it is vital that we maintain a financially secure position in order to deliver education and training opportunities, and support individuals and businesses through these difficult times.”