Teachers at City of Oxford College went out on strike today in a protest over pay.

Members of the University and College Union (UCU) walked out today after 74 per cent of the organisation's members voted to support strike action.

The UCU said the strike was taking place because the Association of Colleges had recommended no pay rise for this year, meaning pay for further education teachers had fallen "well behind" the pay of school teachers.

A picket line was in place at the  City of Oxford College in Oxpens Road college from 8am until about 10.30am but college managers said classes were not disrupted.

UCU spokesman Alan Whitaker said earlier: "Teaching staff at the City of Oxford College have a particular concern as a recent union survey showed that the pay rates are low at the college compared to the national pay rate and also compared other colleges, where we are ranked 143rd out of 181 FE colleges throughout the country.

"Recruiting new good quality teaching staff will become problematic because of the high cost of living in Oxford and the relatively low rates of pay."

Karen Sanders, group director of human resources and organisational development at Activate Learning said: "Union membership at City of Oxford College is low and therefore only a very small number of teaching staff were involved in the action.

"We are committed to ensuring that our students enjoy an outstanding learning experience and there was no disruption to learning today.

“While we are not immune to the impact of national funding cuts on further education we have been in the fortunate position to have already made a one per cent award to all staff.

"This is despite the national recommendation of a zero per cent pay award."

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