College lecturers could be set to strike after backing industrial action in a union ballot.
Members of the EIS-FELA union were consulted on both action short of a strike and a full walkout in a long-running dispute over pay.
Lecturers have previously adopted action short of a strike, which means they will only carry out their contracted duties.
In the ballot, which closed on Tuesday, 85% of voters backed action short of a strike while 77% voted in favour of strike action.
That has given EIS a renewed mandate to take industrial action if a new pay offer is not made.
EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley said, “Scotland’s college lecturers have delivered a very clear result in this statutory ballot, and an equally clear mandate for the continuation of industrial action in support of a fair pay settlement. College leaders have attempted to hide behind some of the most draconian anti-trade union laws in Europe, playing for time and forcing a re-ballot in the hope that lecturer resolve would weaken.
"Their tactics have failed, as this ballot result demonstrates clearly that Scotland’s college lecturers remain determined to fight for a fair pay rise.
“Despite this ballot largely taking place over the Christmas and New Year period, where people have many other things to think about, our members cast their votes and have delivered a strong platform on which to continue the campaign for fair pay and guarantees on jobs.
