A one-day strike at Oldham College starts this morning (May 18) as staff at the site and five other institutions in the North West clamour for them to raise salaries.

A picket line is set to appear at 8am at the entrance to the college, as well as at City of Liverpool College, Burnley College, Bury College, Hopwood Hall College and Nelson and Colne College.

The decision comes after a ballot of more than 1,000 members of the University and College Union (UCU) last month came out in support of action to achieve an 8.5 per cent pay rise.

And the timing of the strike is significant as the date of exam boards AQA and Edexcel's GCSE English Language exams, which the institutions offer on top of the courses for over-16s.

The union anticipates disruption to the exams as a result but a post on social media by Oldham College said its sitting is set to go ahead.

The post reads: "Business as usual for learners! Your lessons and the GCSE English Paper 1 exam will go ahead on May 18 as planned.

"If you're due to take this exam, it’s VITAL you attend for your progression onto the next level of your course, and future career plans."

From tomorrow, hundreds of staff at the institutions intend to take action short of a strike, including working to contract, not covering for absent colleagues and not rescheduling classes cancelled due to the strike.

The UCU expects more than 50,000 students to be affected.

The demand for an 8.5 per cent pay rise is a response to the immediate cost of living crisis but also to what is described as more than a decade of insufficient salaries for those who work in further education.

The union suggested the pay gap between school teachers and their college counterparts now stands at around £9,000.

Staff at The Manchester College are planning a rally of their own on May 20, before action short of a strike next week.

UCU regional official Martyn Moss said: "Our members take huge pride in educating and supporting students, and striking during exams is a last resort but staff are rightly outraged that their bosses have repeatedly held down pay. 

"Now, as inflation and energy costs soar, bosses urgently need to raise pay so that we can avoid any further disruption. 

"The money is there and college leaders need to show they appreciate their staff.

"We urge employers to do the right thing and give staff a pay rise."

The Oldham Times has asked Oldham College for a comment.