Tyneside college strike. Photo: Peter Robson
Tyneside college strike. Photo: Peter Robson

Peter Robson, Newcastle Socialist Party

There was a strong turnout on the University and College Union picket line on 3 October at North Tyneside College in Wallsend. The strike is over a disgraceful offer of a 3% pay rise made by management which, as we all know, in the current climate is not a pay rise at all. The campus is part of a cluster called Tyneside Met. Management recently shut down the Queen Alexander site in North Shields to save money, without any discussion in the community and minimal with the staff. Strikers told us the principal is paid well over £100,000 a year. Strike action will continue on 23 October.