MORE strikes will hit West College Scotland in Greenock if arbitration talks fail tomorrow over a pay dispute.

Two days of strikes were held last month by support staff when Unison members downed tools after failure to reach agreement with employers.

The staff work in administration, admissions, funding, catering, cleaning, security and other areas.

They were due to walk out again today and tomorrow, but these stoppages were cancelled so that negotiations could take place at ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) between unions and employers.

The row centres on the pay rise for 2016, as college bosses awarded lecturing staff a flat rate rise of £450, while most support staff were offered £230.

Unison Scotland and the GMB said action will now take place on November 8 and 9 if talks fail to reach a resolution, and warned that action short of strikes will continue with support staff withdrawing from acting in the additional roles of first aider, fire marshal and evacuation officer.

Meanwhile, a fresh row has broken out about the college allegedly breaching the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Business Regulations.

The unions say agencies who supply  temporary workers are prohibited from providing them to replace individuals taking part in an official strike or official industrial action.

They are also barred from replacing individuals who have themselves been transferred by the client to perform duties of the person on strike or taking industrial action.

A Unison spokesperson said: “West College Scotland bosses have employed a firm to provide first aid.

“This will be challenged legally.”

But a college spokesperson said safety had to be a priority.

He said: “The safety of students and staff is of the utmost importance to West College Scotland.

“It is important, therefore, for us to ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place on an ongoing basis.

“Given Unison’s comments regarding the possibility of legal action, the college will be making no further comment on this matter at this time.”

On the pay dispute, the college says the offer to support staff is in line with that made to teaching staff and in accordance with public sector pay policy.