College lecturers have suspended all future planned strike action following a breakthrough in discussions with management over pay. 

It is understood that employers will now 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 Scottish Government intervened in discussions last week following several days of strike action that disrupted classes and exams.

While some details have yet to be finalised, sufficient progress has been made to allow agreement in principle to be reached and as a result the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) has now suspended all further planned strike action. 

 Deputy First Minister John Swinney said:“I am delighted that the intervention made by the Scottish Government over the last week has helped to facilitate an agreement to end the dispute between the EIS and the College Employers’ Association.

“Having put in place arrangements to allow for national bargaining, it has always been the case that resolution of this issue lay in the hands of employers and the union.

“The immediate suspension of next week’s strike action will be very welcome news for students and the wider agreement reached today will allow Scotland’s colleges to focus on delivering the high-quality education the sector is known for.”

 Larry Flanagan, EIS General Secretary, said: "This is a significant victory for EIS-FELA members and it means that the employers will move immediately to implement Phase 1 of the March 2016 agreement.

"This success by lecturers will also inspire other public sector workers fighting for fair pay."