LECTURERS at a Yorkshire college are taking strike action after bosses introduced new contracts that will cost new staff £6,000 a year and 10 days’ holiday. 

Members of the University and College Union (UCU) at Barnsley College walked out yesterday and continue their action today. 

The union said management introduced pay cuts, worse terms and conditions, new roles for teaching staff and performance-related pay for some A-level teachers.

UCU regional official Julie Kelley said: “This is an unashamed effort by the college to try and squeeze more out of staff for less. New staff will be forced onto inferior terms and those already employed face seeing their jobs downgraded and their pay and holiday entitlement slashed.”

A wave of strikes that will culminate in all-out indefinite strike action was also announced at Lambeth College in London. 

Staff will walkout next Thursday and launch the all-out action on January 19 if the dispute is not resolved.