Greens secure better working conditions for college and university workers
The Scottish Greens have secured the expansion of new fair work criteria for those working in Scotland’s colleges and universities.
This announcement was made by Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer and Minister for Further and Higher Education Ben Macpherson following months of negotiations between Green MSPs and the Scottish Government.
In order to receive their public funding, colleges and universities will now be required to comply with all seven of the Government’s Fair Work First criteria.
The new conditions, to be introduced from April 2027, will require colleges and universities to:
- Invest in workforce development,
- End inappropriate use of zero hours contracts,
- Address workplace inequalities including pay and employment gaps for disabled people, racialised minorities, women, and workers aged over 50,
- Offer flexible and family friendly working practices for all workers from day one of employment, and
- Oppose the use of fire and rehire practice.
This is on top of existing conditions to pay at least the real living wage, and provide appropriate channels for effective workers voice, such as trade union recognition.
Ross said:
“I am delighted that Ministers have accepted Scottish Greens proposals to improve working conditions at our colleges and universities.
“We want to build a Scotland where everyone has the right to a fair working environment, good wages and decent terms and conditions.
"Sadly though, that isn’t the case across our education sector. Colleges have suffered from a decade of chronically poor industrial relations and working conditions for staff in some of our universities are nothing short of shocking.
“These institutions receive billions of pounds of public money every year. That gives us both an opportunity and a responsibility to act.
"The Scottish Greens have long argued that every penny of public funding given to a college or university should be conditioned on improving working conditions for their staff. I’m glad that will now be the case.
“This announcement includes action on reducing the use of zero-hours contracts, ending the gender pay gap and other inequalities, and investing in development opportunities for staff. I am proud that the Scottish Greens have worked with staff unions to deliver this progress.”