Colleges hit by lecturers' strike

Lecturers at six inner London colleges took part in a day of action yesterday against plans to change their contracts.

The National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education (Natfhe) says the new terms will significantly increase members' workloads.

Trevor Rawnsley, lecturer in business studies at the City and Islington College, said: 'We've had overwhelming support for the strike. We're also getting the backing of students.'

Other colleges involved yesterday were Hammersmith and West London, Southwark, Westminster, Tower Hamlets and Hackney. Further action next week will include some in outer London. Lecturers are being expected to sign contracts which halve holiday allowances, add an hour to the working day and cut redundancy notice periods.

The lecturers also say the contracts do not automatically set aside time for preparation, marking and administration.

Natfhe delayed its action, and then switched from national to local bargaining, after the High Court ruled that a national ballot of members would be unlawful.