The onus is on the college, which did not expect this level of support for us, to come back and negotiate sensibly with us

Iain Owens, Natfhe

College authorities have described the lecturers' action as "deplorable" and disruptive to the college's 34,000 students.

But Iain Owens, regional representative for the lecturers' union Natfhe, said he would be holding discussions on Wednesday about how to continue with the action.

"I think people will definitely want to take it forward - we're not ruling out the possibility of further action.

"I think the onus is on the college, which did not expect this level of support for us, to come back and negotiate sensibly with us," Mr Owens said.

'No harm done'

He denied that union members were harming students' education by their action.

"Overworking teachers means that students will be damaged in any event. What we are not going to be is blackmailed about that.

"The college is damaging the students by looking to dismiss 128 people," he said.

The 128 lecturers in question have all refused to sign the new conditions of employment and claimed they had been issued with a "sign or be sacked" ultimatum.

The union balloted for strike action, saying the new contracts involved a longer working year, less holiday, a seven-day-a-week working schedule, an end to over-time payments and the right to deploy staff at any of the college's five sites.

'Disruption'

But Peter Slee, vice principal of human resources, said that while some classes had taken place, the action by members of the union, Natfhe, had "undoubtedly caused disruption to the education of students".

"The college is prepared to continue its consultations with teaching staff but remains absolutely resolved to implement the new contracts which are vital to the efficient and effective running of the college in the best interests of the students," he said.

The college maintains it is simply bringing the institution's contracts into line with the rest of the further education sector, both in the region and nationally.

A spokesman said it was offering seven additional days' holiday and had never had a seven-day-a-week working schedule.

Newcastle College did not and had not paid its teachers overtime, he added.