ACADEMICS and support staff at London’s largest further education college group began eight days of strike action today in a long-running dispute over low pay and poor working conditions.

The University & College Union (UCU) confirmed that the action will take place at Capital City College Group’s (CCCG) campuses across the capital until tomorrow and pick up again between Monday  and Friday (January 22-26).

In a survey of members over the summer, UCU found that most were struggling financially and desperately needed a pay rise.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “Our members are being forced to take sustained strike action because CCCG would rather see its staff use foodbanks than make an acceptable offer.

“We have reached deals at 60 colleges, but CCCG is shamefully holding out and refusing to negotiate.

“It urgently needs to get back to the table, recognise that staff need decent pay, and settle this dispute.”

CCCG said that the pay award of all its staff ranged from four to nine per cent that the action was linked primarily to workload.

“We hope UCU will work more constructively with us to resolve these matters,” it said in a statement.