COLLEGE lecturers have voted to strike because their bosses have failed to meet a national pay deal that should have come into effect 18 months ago.

Workers at Bishop Auckland College and Newcastle College have voted overwhelmingly to join the national strike next following a ballot by the National Association of Teachers for Higher Education (Natfhe).

Bishop Auckland's lecturers will join the picket line on Thursday and workers from Newcastle college will take action a week later because they are on half-term holidays next week.

Iain Owens, of Natfhe, said the lecturers felt they had been left with no choice because something needed to be done to bring wages more in line with what teachers in mainstream schools were earning.

He said: "There was a national agreement of pay between the recognised unions and the Association of Colleges and these colleges have either not implemented it or are seeking to implement it with massive strings."

Bishop Auckland College's principal/chief executive, Joanna Tait, said: "We are having discussions with Natfhe and are hopeful that the industrial action may not proceed.

"As I have said before, we have already paid the national three per cent pay award and will continue to formally consult with the unions over implementing the additional improvements within the modernising pay framework.

"As a college, we place learners' needs first and will take steps to ensure our students do not lose out during any action."