Comedian Jeremy Hardy will come out in support of London lecturers today as Lambeth College staff enter their third week of strikes. 

News Quiz and QI panelist Mr Hardy will be appearing on the picket line alongside students and members of other unions.

Members of the University and College Union (UCU) at the college are walking out for the sixth time this month — and will launch an indefinite strike if the dispute is not resolved by Christmas. 

“UCU members at Lambeth College are determined to defend their contracts and the contracts of new staff,” said the union’s regional officer Una O’Brien.

Trade unionists have continuously challenged the “two-tiered nature” of new employees’ contracts at the college, which force lecturers to work more hours for less pay.

College management has declined to negotiate with its own staff, preferring instead to issue press releases and to threaten services and personnel.

UCU planned for escalating action with seven more walkouts planned between now and the new year.

The strikes — the longest in the union’s history — were backed by a resounding 83 per cent ballot earlier this year.

Ms O’Brien added: “If (management) continue to refuse to talk to us then we risk seeing all-out indefinite strike action from next month.”

The union insisted the all-out strike would be called off if management were to come back to the table.