LECTURERS are set to strike over four days across five colleges in north-east England when the autumn term starts in September.

Members of the University and College Union (UCU) at colleges in Cleveland, Redcar and Stockton-on-Tees will strike 
on September 10-12 and 18 as part of their long-running pay dispute.

The lecturers, who all work at colleges that are part of the  Education Training Collective (ETC), have already taken nine days of strike action.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “Despite already taking nine days of strike action, ETC is still trying to force our members to accept poverty pay.

“Due to the employer’s actions, there is now a clear breakdown in industrial relations, and it is refusing to constructively engage in the collective bargaining process to resolve the dispute.

“Our members at ETC have the full weight of the national union behind them.

“The employer now needs to get around the table and negotiate, otherwise the start of term will be severely disrupted.”