Members of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers in 15 further education colleges have indicated a desire to ballot for industrial action in October.

The move follows union consultation with over 500 members in the FE sector.Such action may take the form of a one-day strike and would be part of a joint campaign with other education unions in pursuit of a fair settlement for lecturers.

Forum Response: Association of Teachers and Lecturers

Chris Wilson, chair of the ATL's FE Committee, told ePolitix.com: "Once more I urge the employers to return to negotiations and make a realistic pay offer. ATL members have traditionally been reluctant to take action but we are well aware of the 3.5 per cent settlement achieved in the sixth form college sector.

"There is a new mood of assertiveness within ATL and the employers would be well advised to take this into account. We are looking forward to working on a joint campaign with other unions to secure a fair pay settlement should such a campaign prove necessary."

Forum Response: Association of Colleges

Ivor Jones, director of employment policy at the AoC, told ePolitix.com: "The 2.3 per cent pay offer put forward reflects what colleges around the country have told us is affordable.

"Colleges have to meet their pay bills largely from their core funding which remains at 90 per cent of 1995/96 levels. If colleges implement an unrealistic offer, redundancies or cuts to services to students result, because there is no spare cash in the system - that is up to government.

"We remain committed to a fair deal for all our staff and have been working closely with our unions, including ATL, for many months, including on a joint submission to the chancellor for funds for fair pay."