AROUND 100 Bury College lecturers are taking strike action today and tomorrow (Tues/Wed May 28-29) over a national pay dispute.

Classes at the college's Woodbury and Millennium centres face disruption, although exams will be unaffected.

The nationwide stoppages are being taken by members of the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education after rejecting a national 1.5 per cent pay offer.

Mr John Nicholson, union secretary at Bury College, said: "Basically, what we are pursuing is parity with school teachers who were offered 3.5 per cent."

Bury College is aligned to the Association of Colleges, the national employers at which the stoppages are aimed.

Mr Nicholson added: "Ironically, the association says it is committed to parity between lecturers and school teachers by September 2004.

"But this 1.5 per cent offer they have made will mean lecturers will slip further behind teachers. It also makes a mockery of plans to give us parity by 2004."

College principal Dr Helen Gilchrist said: "Bury College is proud of its staff and the quality of its provision. Lecturers do their utmost to ensure that students are not disadvantaged.

"While the board of Bury College and I fully support the need for more funding for pay for all college staff, the needs of our students take priority, particularly during the exam period.

"Scheduled exams will take place as planned with all the staff treating student examinations as a priority. Disruption to classes will be kept to a minimum."

Dr Gilchrist added: "Although some classes may be affected, the libraries and IT facilities will be open for students to study, complete coursework and revise."

Holy Cross College in Bury is not connected to the Association of Colleges and, therefore, is not affected.