Frequently Asked Questions
When are lecturers going on strike?
Lecturers are going on strike on Thursday 27 April. This is as part of an on-going Scotland-wide dispute about pay, terms and conditions. There are national talks to try and resolve the dispute. Other strike days may follow until the summer and include Wednesday 3, Tuesday 9 and Thursday 11 May.
Are my lessons cancelled on 27 April?
Yes, unfortunately they are.
Do I still need to come to College on 27 April?
No, you don’t. All students will be registered as having “authorised absence” for that day.
The College will be open but will only be able to provide a limited service to students. If you do come in, you can use the libraries to study and also the social areas and dining facilities. But classrooms, workshops and labs will not open. The EIS will have pickets at each campus.
Could this cost me financially?
No. Because you will be registered as having “authorised absence”, you will not lose any bursary or EMA money, nor will you lose out on childcare or transport costs.
I usually put my child in nursery. Will the nurseries be open?
Parents who use the nurseries at Greenock and Paisley will be communicated with directly by the Nursery Manager.
So what buildings will I be able to get access to?
The following areas of the College will be open during the period of industrial action:
- Clydebank – Queens’ Quay (8.00am – 9.00pm)
- Paisley – Renfrew Road (8.00am – 6.00pm)
- Greenock – Finnart Street (8.00am – 9.00pm)
And what’s closed?
The Greenock Waterfront campus will not open on 27 April. If you study at the Waterfront and want to come in on strike day, you can use the limited facilities available at Finnart Street.
The College will keep you up to date with arrangements for any future strike days via the Student Portal. Please also check the College Facebook page and the Students’ Association Facebook account.
https://www.facebook.com/WestCollegeScotland
https://www.facebook.com/westcollegescotlandstudents/
The College will do everything we can to minimise the impact of any strike days on your studies. We know that many of you will be worried about assessments, exams and classes being postponed if this strike continues. We have anticipated some of your possible questions in the responses shown below.
Q. What happens if an assessment falls on strike day?
A. Don’t worry, the assessment will be rescheduled. Your lecturer will let you know when this will be.
Q. I will be sitting a national exam or graded unit on a strike day, will this be affected.
A. Exams are invigilated by staff other than lecturers and these staff will not be on strike. These exams will therefore go ahead as scheduled. The lecturers on strike may be outside the building on the day of your exam but will not stop you coming into the building and will be equally concerned to ensure that your exam or entry to college is not affected in any way.
Q. I need certain grades to get to University or move to the next level of study. I’m worried that the strike means I won’t achieve my grades. Should I be?
A. Remember, this is a national strike and there will have to be a national approach to this issue. If the strike extends into June, the universities and exam awarding bodies will be involved in considering the impact of it in terms of entry requirements and grades.