STAFF at Bolton College are out on strike in a row over pay.

A 50-strong group of lecturers and support staff have been waving placards and banners outside the college in Deane Road since 7.30am this morning.

Members of the University and College Union (UCU) and Unison organised the strike – which led to the college being closed for the day. It came after the employers’ representatives, the Association of Colleges, recommended a pay freeze.

Staff claim they have suffered a real-terms pay cut of 17.1 per cent in the last five years and are angered at the half a percent to one percent pay rise received since 2010.

Janet Fowler, aged 56, a full-time lecturer at the college, was on strike. She said: “We’ve not had anything for six years, it’s like having a pay cut. They just seem to be expecting more and more off people for less and less pay.

“There is a lot of good will in this sort of work but there’s only so much people can take if they are not treated right, eventually they will have had enough. We’ve been getting a lot of support from the public, it’s been brilliant.”

Staff from the college library also took part in the strike. Hannah Wood, aged 23, who works part time, said: “We think we deserve to be treated better. A zero percent pay rise is not a pay rise at all.”

Her colleague, Rachel Webb, aged 25, added: “It’s been a good turnout. There are a lot of people supporting us and we are proud to take part and hopefully we will be heard.”

Keith Stout, aged 59, is a cleaner at the college. He said: “In the last five years we’ve taken below inflation pay rises, I’ve had to do two hours a week more for nothing. This year there is nothing and that’s the end of it, there’s been no discussion. We are 17 percent down in pay and we are never going to get that back. So this is like a kick in the face when you’re down.”

A trainee teacher, who did not wished to be named, said: “I see first-hand how hard they work. People put in so much and so many hours because they care about the students but they don’t get much in return for it.”

Gilly Ford, UCU branch secretary, was also out on the picket line. She said: “We’ve had lots of great support from people and a lot of attendance on the picket line, people are really passionate about it. There’s constant beeping and shouting support from cars and vehicles, there’s no doubt about it, even the community are supporting us.”

Jane Marsh, Director of Human Resources at Bolton College, said in a statement: “Due to industrial action taken by the University & College Union (UCU) and Unison, a decision has been made by the College to cancel classes on Wednesday 24th February. This decision has not been taken lightly, but the health, safety and security of our learners is paramount. The College will obviously work closely with our learners to ensure that their studies are not adversely affected.”