UHI Perth has warned staff that any who participate in a national union boycott will be considered "in breach of contract" and docked full pay.
The news came in a letter sent to staff on Friday, seen by The Herald.
In it, college principal and chief executive Dr Margaret Cook said that UHI Perth will treat participation action short of strike (ASOS), particularly a union results boycott, as "unacceptable partial performance and a breach of contract".
The letter continued: "This will mean that any participating lecturers are in breach of contract and, according, we will deduct pay at 100% during any such period at a rate of 1/365".
In a section entitled "College Advice to Participating Lecturers", Dr Cook reiterated that staff are only entitled to full pay if they perform their contract "in full".
Dr Cook said that she will instruct college management "not to issue instructions to work or put pressure on individuals to work" if they have indicated that they plan to participate in ASOS.
But other remarks carried a clear warning to staff:
"It is essential that I make it clear to you what action we intend to take and why this is the case prior to you making any decisions about participating in the ASOS."
Explaining the decision to dock full pay for participating staff, she said that the resulting boycott has the potential to stop college operations altogether through its impact on student progression.
"My decision to take a stronger line in relation to deductions is wholly based on my concerns for the future of UHI Perth, in the light of the levels of annual disruption and bad publicity that the ongoing disputes have had on our community and on our students, in particular.
