COLLEGE lecturers in Greenock went back on the picket line as strike action intensifies over a pay dispute.

EIS branch official Mark Gillan and colleagues were outside the WCS Finnart Street campus protesting as their industrial action enters its sixth week.

Peace talks with employers broke down again with the union looking for an improved payrise for its members.

College management say they have no extra cash left and are already looking at a deficit.

With the two sides digging in, the union has announced plans to help strikers financially.

An anonymous benefactor also donated Euromillions lottery tickets to be handed out during the latest day of walkouts.

Mr Gillan, depute branch secretary said: "Our support is getting stronger every week.

"The decision by the union to offer financial support has helped.

"Payments from the EIS to financially assist striking lecturers have enhanced optimism on picket lines.

"This news displays an intention to support members engaged in strike action and bolsters a resolute objective to win this fight for fairness."

The lecturers are also involved in action 'short of strike', including a withdrawal of goodwill and a reinforcement of a resulting boycott.

Mr Gillan said: "This has been going on for five weeks now and is set to increase to two days a week.

"All workers deserve a pay increase that combats the rise in the cost of living.

"Hard-working lecturers deserve a fair cost of living pay increase, we do not deserve an enormous pay cut in real terms."

Mr Gillan called on management to 'immediately provide a fair cost of living pay increase' if they want to avoid industrial action escalating and affecting students.

He says that staff have the support of students in their campaign.

He told the Tele: “Lecturers would like to thank students and the community of Inverclyde for their support, it has been quite overwhelming.”