More strikes at sixth form colleges across the South
Three in Hampshire will be shut today in a dispute over pay
Students at three sixth form colleges in Hampshire are having their studies disrupted by strike action today.
National Education Union members have walked out for two days in a row over pay.
The dispute affects lessons at Barton Peveril in Eastleigh, Itchen College in Southampton and Peter Symonds in Winchester today and tomorrow (December 3-4).
Most teachers in schools and academies received a 5.5 percent wage increase in September - but sixth form colleges were not included.
The action follows a similar walkout which took place at all three sites, and around 30 others across England, last Thursday (November 28th).
Teachers will again form picket lines across the country, including in cities like London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Bristol.
NEU representative Steve Scott has said it isn't good enough:
"This pay rise wasn't given to our colleagues in six form colleges. The issue still hasn't been resolved, so our members are going to be taking strike action and we should have vibrant pickets as we did last Thursday.
"These teachers do the same job, they have the same commitment, it's the same level of importance, and I think it's right that we are taking action there because we can't accept a two tier workforce. We need that.
"Everyone that does the same job to have the same pay for doing that. Our members there have already indicated that they're committed to pursue this in the new year and have also announced dates Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday when we come back in January.
"So hopefully all of that and the little bit of time over Christmas, the government can work out what they're doing."
The Department for Education says colleges are responsible for setting their own pay.
A government spokesperson said: "We have increased funding for education significantly, and pay decisions for staff are the responsibility of individual sixth form colleges.
"The government remains committed to ensuring high standards across all sectors of education."