Meeting of the Parliament 16 March 2016
Claudia Beamish touches on a number of very important points. The National Union of Students in Scotland has written to me to share the concerns that she articulated regarding the impact of strike action on students, particularly in the very important third term that we are approaching. The priority has to be on the resolution of the dispute.
It is for the employers to account for imposing a pay deal. I have met representatives of the employers’ side this week, and I am advised that there has been further constructive dialogue. I repeat my view that both the trade union side and the employers must continue to engage in that constructive dialogue, as industrial action is not in anyone’s interest, least of all that of students. The priority must be to get matters resolved.