LESSONS are expected to be disrupted as staff go on strike at West Thames College tomorrow  (Tuesday, December 3).

Employees at the college in London Road, Isleworth, are taking part of a national day of industrial action by those working in further and higher education.

The University and College Union, which is organising the walk-out, claims it will be only the second time in its history that further and higher education members had gone on strike simultaneously.

Paul Anderson, branch chairman of the union, which has 74 members working at the college, told the Chronicle the college would remain open but individual classes may have to be cancelled.

He said union members were taking action because they felt it was unfair that pay for staff in further education had fallen 15 per cent in the last four years, during which time the cost of living had increased 17.5 per cent.

"Despite the Lingfield Report's recommendation that further education pay scales be brought into line with those for secondary teachers, the Association of Colleges have offered a negligible rise of 0.7 per cent," he added.

"Despite Government claims that the work of colleges is 'vital', we have seen job losses, increased workloads and reduced pay in a sector the Government relies on heavily for education, training and apprenticeships."

A spokesman for the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills said: "We are disappointed the unions have decided in favour of industrial action. Students have the right to expect that their learning will not be disrupted by such action."

A spokeswoman for West Thames College said it would have a better idea of how lessons would be affected, if at all, this afternoon.