Trade unions are set to campaign against any attempt to water down the rights of employees of Angus and Dundee colleges, an official has warned.
The two institutions are set to merge in November as part of a national move towards regionalisation of further education.
Earlier this month The Courier revealed that approval of the tie-up had not yet been granted by the Scottish Government, even though the date had been set and Dundee College principal Christina Potter chosen to lead the new college.
Dougie Deans, Unison official at Angus College, said: “This situation just highlights the total disarray the further education sector is in, caused by a Scottish Government who have enforced the mergers of 41 colleges into 13 regions.
“Unison will be working with the GMB and EIS trade unions, along with the new management, to ensure the workforces of both colleges suffer no detriment to their terms and conditions due to this enforced merger.”
Mr Deans said a voluntary severance scheme has now been rolled out to employees who wished to leave.
“The fallout in this entire shambles is that Angus College has lost its principal and vice-principal who are sadly opting to retire, which will leave a large void and the workforce in an uncertain state.
“We in Angus, neither Unison or Angus College management or the workforce at large, wanted or desired this enforced merger. A college that is in a healthy financial state, all down to a prudent management and flexible workforce and which provides a valuable resource to the Angus community, was in no need of a marriage of convenience.”
After the “hurdles” that both colleges had overcome to get to this stage, they were still awaiting official approval.
“This regionalisation programme has reduced 41 colleges to 13 regions, creating uncertainty around jobs, courses and prospective students.
“The education secretary stated as far back as 2010 he will not force any college to merge. What he didn’t state was if you don’t merge you will find it difficult to get funded.”
The Scottish Government’s position is that it has been for colleges to decide how best to meet the needs of their region and they have been working closely with employers to ensure students have the best chance of finding a job after their studies.