We greatly regret the decision of Natfhe nationally to strike over pay

AoC

Natfhe said college staff had been "pulled from pillar to post" over the "appallingly low pay levels" in further education.

More than 32,000 FE lecturers in 280 colleges across England and Wales are expected to take part in the action.

The strike plan follows a 4% pay rise last year in a long-running dispute over pay in the FE sector.

�13,745 starting salary

Lecturers have long complained their pay is less than that of classroom teachers.

Figures from Natfhe suggest some FE lecturers start on an annual salary as low as �13,745, rising to �25,000 at the top of the scale.

Whereas teachers, following a 3.5% pay rise announced in January, can expect to start on a salary of �17,628, with most earning �25,746.

Natfhe general secretary Paul Mackney said: "Our members are clearly incensed at the insulting 1.5% offer from the employers."

"The employers say they want to pay lecturers salaries comparable to school teachers', but offer 2% less!

"The government keep saying they want to improve lecturers' pay but have yet to come through with the cash," said Mr Mackney.

'Premature'

Chief Executive of the AoC David Gibson said the strike action was described as "premature" and "unfortunate".

"We greatly regret the decision of Natfhe nationally to strike over pay, especially at this time of the year when exams are about to take place," said Mr Gibson.

"Colleges will do everything necessary to ensure that despite this action, students' education is not put at risk."

Mr Gibson said the action was premature, because the AoC, trade unions and student representatives had been lobbying Chancellor Gordon Brown in advance of this summer's spending review.

"Because of chronic underfunding, many colleges are finding it difficult or impossible to pay their lecturers and other staff better salaries.

"But it is a great shame that Natfhe has taken such premature action before we see the outcome of our joint endeavours," he said.

Student support

Although the lecturers' strike comes in the exam season, the National Union of Students said it supported the action.

NUS president Owain James said: "NUS supports Natfhe's pay claim and is pleased the union has put contingency plans in place to ensure that students will not being penalised."

"Students have a right to decent tuition and recognise that the disparity in pay leads not only to demotivation, but will ultimately force the best lecturers away from the sector."