College lecturers in Fife are on strike today in a long-running dispute over pay and conditions.

The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) members have walked out over refusal by college management to honour a deal that was reached over a year ago. 

The agreement promised equal pay for lecturers in all colleges following years of pay inequity for lecturers doing the same jobs in different colleges, the EIS said.

Forty picket lines were set up this morning over several of Fife College's campuses. 

Alison Davidson, EIS rep for Fife College, said: "The strike appears to be very solid. 

"We hope that this gets resolved quickly as we don't want to be here at this important time of year for students. 

"Classes have been badly affected and we've seen students being sent home.

"Our next strike day will be next Wednesday but I sincerely hope it does not come to that.

"It's positive to hear that management are open to discussion and this afternoon we will be taking part in a rally outside the Scottish Parliament."

The strike comes after a 96% vote in favour of the action in a recent ballot of Further Education Lecturers' Association (EIS-FELA) members.

College staff first walked out on strike for a day in March 2016 and had more than 30 days of action planned.

A Fife College spokesperson said: "Fife College is disappointed at the proposed EIS strike action. The College will do everything it can to minimise any disruption to students and we will work with our students to reduce any negative impact on their studies.”