LECTURERS at West College Scotland say they hope the end of industrial action and a promise of no compulsory redundancies will bring new hope at the Greenock campus.

EIS-Fela West College Scotland branch secretary Mark Gillan, who is based in the Finnart Street building, says that union members are relieved to be coming to the end of one of their most turbulent periods ever.

Union members voted last week to accept an approved pay deal after two years of industrial action and strikes.

It came after they passed a no confidence vote in principal Liz Connolly and the college's senior management.

Union members are expected to formally ratify the deal on Tuesday.

Now they say they hope the end of the dispute will bring about stability.

Branch secretary Mark Gillan said: "A crucial element of the agreement is the assurance of no compulsory redundancies, demonstrating that this dispute was about more than just pay.

"This outcome offers a glimmer of hope for stability without the threat of industrial action in the near future.

"We are approaching the end of one of the most challenging periods in the history of college employment relations in this country.

"The difficult circumstances we have faced have required many lecturers to make significant sacrifices, all with the hope of achieving fair treatment comparable to other public service workers.

"In accordance with the democratic processes of our trade union, we held a ballot of our membership.

"Lecturers across all branches involved in the national action voted to accept the offer negotiated by the EIS and College Employers Scotland, with the involvement of the Scottish Government."

Following the suspension of the industrial action he added:  "We can then return our full attention to what we do best: teaching, ensuring the high quality of education for our students, and advocating for the Scottish Government to adequately fund further education.

"The future of further education in our local communities, including Inverclyde, is a collective responsibility, and it is crucial that we safeguard that future to the best of our ability."

Following the dispute with picket lines and more recently protests, the branch hope to move on.

Mark added: "Our focus now is on moving forward and putting this chapter behind us.

"We will call on the principal and senior management team to collaborate with us for the benefit of our students, aiming to make up for the lost time that cost us over five weeks of work.

"Our primary concern remains our students, and we are committed to supporting both current and former students as we embark on this new academic year.

"All industrial action is now suspended, pending the full ratification of the agreement on Tuesday.

"Following this, we will formally announce the cessation of industrial action."