COLLEGE lecturers across Scotland have voted overwhelmingly for industrial action in a dispute over harmonisation of pay.

Some 97 per cent of members of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) backed action in poll held to gauge support for strikes.

The move itself will not immediately lead to industrial action because the ballot is not a legal measure.

However, the EIS said it was a strong indication of the strength of feeling of members and will now move to a statutory industrial action ballot.

In its manifesto for the 2011 Scottish Parliament elections the SNP pledged to introduce national pay bargaining for colleges and harmonisation across the sector.

Under the previous system of local bargaining, significant differences have opened up in terms and conditions, with some staff earning as much as £12,000 more for a similar job.

An agreement last March established £40,000 as the top of the salary scale for an unpromoted lecturer, with increases phased in over three years. However, colleges want significant reforms to terms and conditions in return.

Larry Flanagan, general secretary of the EIS, said: “College lecturers have been extremely patient in waiting for management to deliver on their pay commitments, but that patience is now exhausted.

However, Shona Struthers, chief executive of the Colleges Scotland employers’ association, attacked the move.

She said: “Given progress it is disappointing and totally inappropriate that the EIS is threatening disruptive strike action while constructive talks are ongoing.”