STAFF at the colleges in Clydebank and Glasgow have voted in favour of industrial action in a row over pay.

The ballot will disrupt 20 colleges across Scotland, including West College Scotland and the new flagship City College opening on September 5.

Unison members voted for industrial action after college bosses awarded lecturing staff a £450 flat rate rise earlier this year, while support staff were only offered £230.

Staff including administration, admissions, funding, catering, cleaning, advisors, security, classroom assistants, technicians and others are calling for fair pay and parity.

National negotiations are to take place on Thursday but Unison said if there is no deal, strikes "look unavoidable".

Chris Greenshields, chairman of UNISON’s further education committee, said: “Our demand is simple and fair. Pay college support staff the same amount (£450) that you gave to our teaching colleagues. We work for the same colleges, help deliver the same courses, support the same students and deserve the same cost of living increase.”

John Gallacher, Unison's Scottish organiser, added: “Striking is a last resort, but we will support our members in every way possible to achieve the same fair and reasonable pay settlement as already paid out to teaching colleagues.”

David Alexander, vice principal operations at West College Scotland, told the Post: "We are disappointed to hear of the UNISON ballot outcome given the pay offer made to support staff is in line with that made to teaching staff, and is in accordance with public sector pay policy.

"Any industrial action will cause huge disruption to students at a time when many will be looking forward to starting new courses or continuing their studies at the next level and we hope UNISON avoid this.

"While these negotiations are a national matter, West College Scotland will continue to work with trade unions locally in seeking to maintain positive industrial relations and minimise any impact on students.’

Shona Struthers, chief executive of the Colleges Scotland Employers’ Association, said they acknowledged the vote but believed less than 20 per cent of support staff actually participated in the ballot.

She added: "Unison’s case for strike action is based on factually confused comparisons between the deal done with lecturers in April and the agreement that we reached with support staff in January.

"It is important to understand that the settlement for lecturers was a two-year deal while the support staff settlement was only for 2015/16 and negotiations are ongoing for 2016/17.

"Unison is demanding a flat cash increase of £450 for all support staff for 2016/17.

"According to our calculations this would add £3.2m to the college sector payroll. This is not a financially sustainable position.”