A PAY cut protest was called off by college staff at the last minute on Wednesday.

Staff from Darlington College were due to walk out of the classroom in a row over proposals to cut lecturer wages by up to ten per cent in a bid to tackle the college’s precarious financial position.

Minutes after the demonstration was about to begin, the University and Colleges Union (UCU) announced its cancellation.

It was called off after Darlington College representatives agreed to hold new talks with a delegation of union members.

The protest was the second in a week to be organised in response to plans to slash wages and was due to be staged just days after a proposed merger between Darlington and Stockton Riverside colleges was scrapped.

UCU representative Joyce McAdam said members hoped the dropped merger would allow college executives to look again at the controversial proposals.

She said: “The governing body of the college has now agreed to meet with a delegation from the union to talk about the issues.

“We hope to persuade governors to change their plans.

“College management said one of the reasons for the pay cuts was to bring wages down to the level of those at Stockton Riverside College.

“Now that merger is not happening, the college will still be looking at its finances but in a different way. We are hopeful that it makes a difference.”

Kate Roe, principal of Darlington College, said suggestions put forward by staff and union members would be considered before any final decision is made.

She added: “Like other parts of the public sector facing ongoing reductions in government funding, the college has significant financial challenges which need to be addressed.

“These are really hard decisions to make, particularly for our staff.

“We fully intend to continue to work with staff and unions in a constructive way through this process.”