COLLEGE lecturers in Inverclyde took their fight for a better pay deal to top Labour politicians this morning as Sir Keir Starmer and his colleagues set out their plans for Scotland at Greenock’s Beacon Arts Centre.

The EIS-FELA members stood outside the venue with placards as their standoff with college bosses and the Scottish Government continues.

Inside the Beacon, speeches were delivered by Sir Keir, as well as Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and MSP Jackie Baillie.

EIS president Paula McEwan told the Tele: “Funding has been cut, our lecturers haven’t had a pay rise since 2021, they’ve been on strike repeatedly for the last ten years.

“Something has to change. We’re here to push whoever is here from the UK Government, the Scottish Government, our local councillors – we’re looking for solidarity from the wider Labour movement.

“We’re here to see what the Labour party can do and what their promise is for Inverclyde, for Scotland and for education.”

Earlier this week, striking lecturers from West College Scotland picketed outside the office of Inverclyde MSP Stuart McMillan.

Ms McEwan described the members' work in Inverclyde and beyond as ‘invaluable’.

She added: “Further education, colleges and our lecturers are the route for so many people out of poverty.

“Not just for disengaged learners in schools who can access course through college, but also for adult returners who are looking for a bit of life-long learning or to reskill or retrain.

“Lecturers are invaluable to the economy. It is a working class, bottom-up service.

“It is being decimated and that has to change."