STRIKING staff have accused Bury College of bribing employees to break the picket line.

Members of the public sector workers union UNISON who work at the college, along with members of the lecturers union NATFHE, took part in a national day of strike action on Tuesday as a protest against poor salaries.

But non-union members were given a full day's pay even though some were only in college for less than half an hour, according to Bury College NATFHE branch secretary John Nicholson.

"It was a scandalous waste of taxpayers' money. Everyone who signed in got a full day's pay, including those who were only there for ten minutes."

Mr Nicholson added: "People were being paid to strike-break. It really does seem to be a misappropriation of public funds."

But college spokesman, Michelle Lynch, said provision was made for all members of staff who reported in for work to work at either the Peel Centre of the college or, if more appropriate, to take assigned work home.

Less than 40 per cent of staff took part in the strike and AS examinations scheduled for Tuesday took place without any disruption.

College principal, Dr Helen Gilchrist, said: "The board of Bury College and I share the union's concerns for the need for more funding for pay for all college staff. Lecturing staff pay is well behind that of teachers in schools. However, within its limited resources Bury College has paid above the national average for the sector for all staff."