The union are asking for a £1 per hour increase for staff at further education colleges.
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UCU general secretary Sally Hunt said: “UCU members are sick of employers’ refusal to deal with the real-terms pay cuts that have blighted the sector”.
The strike was called following a national vote by all teachers in further education colleges who are University and College union members.
Staff at Merseyside colleges are set to walk out in a row over pay.
The strike at Southport College is part of a day of action across the country.
A spokesman for the college said: “This is a national strike affecting colleges throughout the country”. The pay of teachers in the college sector has failed to keep up with the cost of living for the last few years to the extent that they are on average 17 per cent behind where they should be had their pay risen in line with inflation since 2008.
“But we feel a pay freeze is not acceptable”.
“Our position reflects the feedback we had from our members”.
UCU branch secretery in Stamford Godfrey Jennings said: “We felt it was refreshing getting support from the Labour Party, when in the past they have sat on the fence”.
This follows a zero per cent pay increase past year.
“It is the Association of Colleges that has recommended a pay freeze and South Tyneside College, like many colleges across the country, is following that recommendation”.
“No one wants to strike, and it is always a last resort”.
The strike comes after the Association of Colleges (AoC) recommended a pay freeze for those in further education.
Mr Rivers is hopeful that following the industrial action, the Association of Colleges will agree to further pay negotiations.
At Bishop Auckland College all classes at were cancelled for the day although the college remained open to students and an open evening for prospective students went ahead as planned.
“Interestingly, while 74 per cent of UCU members who took part in the national ballot voted for strike action, a large number refrained from voting”. “We will manage any potential issues”.
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‘We hope the managers will now see sense and work with us to deliver changes that will not be so devastating for the staff, students or future of the Open University’.
