College lecturers

COLLEGE LECTURERS in the Natfhe union are set to strike across London on Thursday of this week. The strike follows a 77 percent vote for action to demand £4,000 London weighting in further education colleges. Colleges across London are facing recruitment problems because young lecturers cannot afford to stay in overpriced London housing.

Lecturers have seen their pay, and London weighting, plummet in real terms in recent years. Local government workers and teachers have struck impressively over similar issues a number of times over the last three years. But their national leadership did not match up to the determination of rank and file union members.

This led to unnecessary defeats as strikes were limited to one or two days, and attempts to coordinate joint action were obstructed. However, the willingness to fight over London weighting has not disappeared. College lecturers are gearing up for their strike. Pickets are being organised, as well as local demonstrations. The London Region of Natfhe has organised a lobby of parliament with a rally.