COLLEGE lecturers look set to take strike action after they decided at a meeting yesterday they were dissatisfied with a three per cent pay rise offered by bosses.

Ballot papers are being sent out today to decide whether or not lecturers at Bishop Auckland College will take part in a national one-day strike on February 24.

Chairman of the National Association of Teachers for Higher Education (Natfhe) Jon Bryan said that staff felt that the college had had enough time to come up with something that would meet a pay deal laid out by The Association of College's (AOC).

He said: "There is a very strong call for a yes vote. The ballot papers are going out today and staff look keen to be a part of the national action."

College lecturers throughout the country are campaigning for better wages that would bring them in line with what teachers in mainstream schools are earning.

The AOC and unions have come up with a pay deal that lecturers say would be acceptable but some colleges have failed to meet it.

Joanna Tait, principal and chief executive of Bishop Auckland College, said that the college was consulting with the unions to try to reach an agreement.

She said: "We have had no official feedback from the union meeting.

"However, we would point out that we have already paid the national three per cent pay award and are formally consulting with the unions over implementing the additional improvements within the modernizing pay framework, and are optimistic that we will find a satisfactory agreement."