Ayr College workers' anger over water feature

Jun 5 2009 by Stuart Wilson

AYR College is splashing out nearly £300,000 – on a water feature for its campus.

But the move has sparked anger, coming just weeks after a bitter pay dispute between staff and management.

Lecturers were asked to accept a lower wage rise than expected because of the tough economic climate.

But they’ll now watch as the college campus is revamped, with the focus being a hi-tech water feature.

One former lecturer said: “It’s funny how they can find all this money now.

“The staff have constantly been told that times are hard due to the economy and money supposedly didn’t exist for a better pay deal.

“No doubt the money for this comes from a different budget, but that hardly makes it better.”

And our source claimed: “Something like an extra £30,000 could have solved the wage dispute without the need for strike action.

“So how they can find close to £300,000 for this is very strange.”

But college chiefs insist cash for the renovation work is being drawn from an old budget.

Vice principal Bill Hiddleston said: “The work which has commenced at the front of the college building is the second part of a two-phase refurbishment programme which was budgeted for in 2007.

“This work will make the foyer and main entrance more user-friendly and welcoming for students as well as increase energy efficiency and accessibility.

“Originally this work was due to be completed in 2008, but due to delays in the planning process was postponed until now.”